Can you? Will you?

Having questions for God is a fairly common thing. I'm sure everyone has a few they would like to ask God. Many of which may not get complete answers this side of heaven. But what about the questions God asks us?

Several questions God asks people in the Bible immediately come to mind.

God to Adam - Where are you? (Genesis 3:9)
Jesus to His followers - Who do you say that I am? (Mark 8:27-33)
Jesus to Peter - Do you truly love me? (John 21:15)

But lately, in the quietness of my heart, I've sensed God asking me two questions -- and if I'm still enough to hear them, these questions can be heard at every turn throughout the day ... at every thought of panic ... at every problem that arises.

Tina, Can you trust me?

Tina, Will you trust me?

The "Can you trust me?" question goes straight to the heart of who God is ... His character. Is He trustworthy? Has He been faithful in the past? Do I believe His Word is truer than how I feel? What do I know to be true about who God is?

Even with my heart racing and my blood pressure rising, I've learned enough about God's character that my answer to His question, Can I trust Him? is yes. And if I need to be reminded why, I can turn to His Word to find many reasons He can be trusted.

But the second question, Will you trust me? is completely up to me. Will I choose to trust Him right now, at this moment, with this issue? It is a choice I must make.

When I think logically about the choice, trusting Him always beats the alternative. But I confess, I don't always think logically. Often, I'm just off in a panic trying to figure out how to solve the problem myself.

I'm a work in progress. But I'm praying these questions help me to stop--remind myself to "be still my soul" and listen to my Father say, "Tina, Can you trust me? Will you trust me?"