By Todd Paetznick, February 15, 2024

Trust in the LORD with all your heart,

And do not lean on your own understanding. 

In all your ways acknowledge Him, 

And He will make your paths straight. 

(Proverbs 3:5-6 NASB20)

Step 1.   Trusting in the LORD with all of one’s heart will lead to straight paths.  

Complete trust — with all of one’s heart — is not the same as having some trust.  The difference is significant in its outcome and the effort.  Summer is coming, as are pool parties.  Having some trust is like dipping a toe in the pool to confirm that the water is warm enough for swimming after having been told that it is the perfect temperature.  Complete trust believes the person who told you the water temperature is perfect; you believe them and jump in without hesitation.  

Trusting God with all of one’s heart operates on the same principle: complete trust results in action without hesitation, whereas some trust hesitates, hedges bets, seeks confirmation, and considers alternatives before taking action.  When it comes to trusting God, Solomon advises that we trust Him with all of our heart; trust without hesitation.

Speed is one of the results of trusting the people with whom we work.  When there is trust between people, we do not hesitate; we act.  We do not have to consider whether what they are telling us to do is the right choice or whether there may be a better alternative.  Trust results in immediate action and speed because no time is wasted considering alternatives.  Speed makes a critical difference between success and failure and is especially important in crisis situations.  Speed is a critical and competitive differentiator between businesses.  Often, a small organization becomes a competitive threat to larger and more established businesses because it can act quickly and take advantage of market changes or external circumstances.  The bureaucracy of large organizations can get in the way of a need to pivot to address change rapidly.  Small organizations typically do not have as many layers and can better adapt to opportunities.  

Our own worry and doubt can get in the way of action we need to take, slowing the time needed between recognizing a challenge and doing something about it.  Trusting the Lord does not mean we wait until we hear from God about what to do or receive some sign before we take action.  Trusting the Lord means that we already know what His word advises that we do, we believe what God says, and we do as He tells us without hesitation.  Trusting God helps us avoid the time needed to contemplate a course of action; we do it because we know it is the right thing to do.  We do not delay offering assistance to a person in need; we do it.  We do not need to consider ways to avoid paying debts we owe; we pay them.  We do not look for ways to exploit the weak or vulnerable; we build them up.  Knowing and trusting God’s teachings results in action without hesitation.

Deciding in advance what we will do.