I have a character trait that I really struggle with that has always prevented me from following God like I probably should. That trait is over-analyzing. I remember even as a teenager over-analyzing everything from what college I should attend to what job I should get upon graduation. If I was to get real honest, that over-analyzing was (and is) really just a lack of trust in God.

There are a few stories in the Bible that show a much better type of faith. The first is in the book of 1 Kings 19. The prophet Elijah had just gone through a roller coaster of emotions after defeating all the prophets of the false God Baal, falling into a pit of depression, being attended to by angels, then having a miraculous experience with God in a cave. During that experience, one of the things God told him to do was to find a young man named Elisha and train him to be his replacement. Elijah found Elisha plowing his father’s field. What happened next is an incredible act of faith. “So Elisha returned to his oxen and slaughtered them. He used the wood from the plow to build a fire to roast their flesh. He passed around the meat to the townspeople, and they all ate. Then he went with Elijah as his assistant.” 1 Kings 19:21 NLT Right then and there Elisha slaughtered his oxen and burned his plow. He didn’t have to “think and pray” about it. He didn’t have to do what I feel like I have do do every time I have a big decision: stress and over-analyze. No, instead he just went for it. He went for it in such a way that he couldn’t go back. I want to be more like that.

Peter and Andrew, two of Jesus’ disciples did much of the same thing. “One day as Jesus was walking along the shore of the Sea of Galilee, he saw two brothers—Simon, also called Peter, and Andrew—throwing a net into the water, for they fished for a living. Jesus called out to them, “Come, follow me, and I will show you how to fish for people!” And they left their nets at once and followed him.” Matthew 4:18-20 NLT. It is so easy to read past them just up and leaving their livelihood but that is exactly what they did.

When I read stories like those, it makes my faith feel so small. I want to trust more. I want to let go and run toward the calling of God. To often though, I hesitate. I let fear of the unknown reign rather than faith in the all-knowing God.

“Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight.” Proverbs 3:5-6 NLT.

Submit and lean not on your own understanding. That is the key. God has a plan in everything. Nothing surprises God. Just like a beautiful tapestry, God weaves everything together, both a the good and the bad, to achieve His perfect plan.  “For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.” Jeremiah 29:11 NLT. We simply need to burn the plow!