No Matter What: Radical Trust In An Unfailing God
Cheryl Shumake
In No Matter What, Radical Trust in An Unfailing God. CC leads you, by personal and scriptural examples, into the vast capacity of Jesus to inspire trust in willing hearts. It will help you step beyond present pain into the abundance of God’s grace; being filled with His peace whether you’re rejoi

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book excerpt

It was the fourth watch of the night. The darkest hours just before dawn broke. Sinews strained against the oars as the wind raged on. The sky was black as pitch. However, the depth of night in no way equaled the depth of despair as he struggled to keep the boat afloat. The wind-whipped towering waves crashed over the sides of the vessel. The location of the others was identified only by the sound of their voices. Every once in a while, in the dim light provided by the waning moon, he would catch a glimpse of the men he came to love as brothers. This did not provide much comfort to him. He saw on their faces the same strain and concerns he himself felt. The sea spray stung his eyes, making it hard to distinguish land from water. He didn’t know how far out they were or how much longer they had to row in order to get to the other side. He squinted into the night. There was a shape moving toward them. He wasn’t the only one to notice. He could hear the commotion as the other disciples ran to the sides of the boat to get a better look. “What is that?” Andrew yelled. “It’s a ghost!” screamed James. “We’re going to die, He sent us out here to be killed by a ghost!” Peter’s eyes widened as the figure clarified. It walked closer when suddenly a recognizable voice rang out loud and clear over the din of the wind, “Don’t be afraid! It’s Me.” The astonished disciples asked one another in unbelieving repose, “It’s the Lord?” All except Peter. He kept his eyes fixed and fastened on the figure incongruously standing on the billowing sea. Jesus’ hair and coat were as ravaged by the wind as the sea. With a mixture of hope and dread, Peter leaned into the wind. “Lord,” he yelled, “Lord, if it’s really You, tell me to come, and I will come.” With a smile and the confidence of One who is both Creator and controller of the very sea upon which He stood, Jesus said, “Come.” Most moms can recall the first time they experienced what I like to call the “mother’s ear phenomenon.” Mother’s ear is the God-given ability to discern your child’s voice in a crowd of children. You know the unique timbre of that sweet little voice, the pitch, the intonation, and depending on the decibel level, you can even determine whether or not the screech requires your immediate attention. We develop this ear because we know our children. We are intimately acquainted with every nuance of their voice. Even when our home is filled, as it often is, with noisy, hungry teenagers playing games in one room, snacking in another, laughing, and talking, I can make out our daughter’s voice. I tune in when her name is yelled over the blasting T.V. However, ever so often, several children will say, “Mom” at the same time, each clamoring for their mother’s attention. If we’re distracted, tuned out, uncertain, or just plain ole tired, we’ll experience temporary “hearing loss.” Imagine how a child with a genuine need feels when his or her call for their mother goes unanswered, even if but for a moment. We may know that we are near enough to intervene in any situation. We know that we are near enough to respond quickly, even if not right at the moment the child calls. We know that we are near enough to affect change. But the child, in that moment, only knows that we have not responded to their voice. It is important to our children that we hear them at all times. It is important to parents that we are heard by our children. Knowing that the person you love, rely on (in the case of children), or protect (in the case of parents) is attuned to your voice contributes to a healthy relationship. Consequently, how much more imperative is it that we hear our heavenly Father? And that He can be trusted to be near enough even when we can’t hear Him? With the number of wonderful books available to help you learn how to hear from God, I will not embarrass myself or you with any attempt to explain practicing the art of hearing from God. This chapter is included to help you navigate the sometimes difficult sound of silence from the Throne when you’re waiting on a word or direction. Though there are obstacles to clearly hearing God speak, which we will address in a limited fashion, this chapter is about understanding that our hearing God is irrelevant to His trustworthiness. Sometimes we become immobile, unwilling to make a decision, choose, or take a step of faith because we say we are waiting to hear from God when in actuality we are trapped by fear. I’m in no way advocating living in a willy-nilly, self-directed way without awareness of or respect for the lordship of Jesus Christ. We are to acknowledge the Lord in everything we do then trust that He will direct our paths. Our steps are ordered by a sovereign, loving God. Believe it or not, He is more interested in our getting it right than we are. If we are getting something wrong, He is faithful to let us know. If we are tuned out, He is powerful enough to get through.