When God trusts us to walk on our own

Yesterday I read this statement attributed to Rabbi Israel ben Eliezer, and I can't stop thinking about it.

It can sometimes be a delicate balance to trust all things to God, and yet also retain the vision of growth (and ultimate independence) They intend for us.

We tend to slip into one of the following patterns:

Trusting ourselves too much and forgetting to ask for the Lord's help.

I do this. All. The. Time. I can't tell you how often I have to hit rock-bottom in a situation before I'm jolted into remembering to turn to Him.

OR

Putting it all on Him and not putting forth any personal effort.

I do this, for example, when I say a prayer that the missionaries will find people to teach, yet I'm not doing anything to help find or reach out to people.

I wanna focus on the second one.

Just like a child learning to walk, we need reliance upon our Parents. According to Latter-day Saint theology and the Plan of Salvation, complete reliance isn't meant to last eternally, but to slowly help us gain our own footing, confidence, and ability. (I'm not trying to imply that this is going to happen in this life, and I'm definitely not saying that we can somehow become strong or good enough to save or exalt ourselves.)

There have been several times in my life where I felt that the reason the Lord was pausing--not immediately jumping in and solving my problems--was to let me take a step or two on my own. He's not abandoning me in those moments, but is there a few steps ahead, guiding and encouraging me as I take shaky little steps toward Him, falling occasionally, but able to get up try again. Over the years, I become stronger, my steps become more sure and I become more confident.

It's EMPOWERING to know that God, in His infinite wisdom and goodness, trusts you and me! Christ is essential, but wasn't sent to do *everything* for us.

You and I are in the process of BECOMING, not just BEING.

We are in the process of becoming, not just being.

Along with trusting God, remember that He trusts you.

So you can trust you, too.

And you will be a miracle!