In October, I unpacked the four words in James 2:13 (“Mercy triumphs over judgment”), spending a week on each one.

As I thought about what to write next, I stumbled across an old poem I wrote several years ago, titled Five Words. It’s not from a five-word Bible verse; it’s just five key words to the Christian faith in everyday life.

Sovereignty. Confusion. Waiting. Trust. Grace.

This week, I’ll share the original poem with you, and over the next five weeks, I’ll share a meditation on one word each week.

I pray that Wednesday’s Word has been a blessing to you each week. You are a blessing to me, Luella, and the team at PTM!

Five words,
defining life
between the
“already”
of conversion and the
“not yet”
of our home going.
Five words.

Sovereignty
is the first and most
foundational
of the five words.
Sovereignty
is the ground of all
things.
It is the rule of
God
from eternity,
determining what has been,
what now is, and
what forever will be.
His choice rules all other
choice.
His will is the
plan
that directs the
march
of everything that is
or will be.
Sovereignty,
shaped by
wisdom,
power,
faithfulness, and
love.
Sovereignty.

Confusion
is our experience.
Not always knowing
what God is
doing
or why he is
doing it.
Confusion,
because our thoughts
are not like his
thoughts, and
our ways are not like his
ways.
Much of his will
hides
behind the divine
curtain,
hidden as an
act
of tender love.
We know what has been
revealed,
confused by
secrets
not yet revealed.
Confusion.

Waiting
is the state in which we
live.
Waiting for promises yet
unfulfilled.
Waiting for divine
provisions
we so much need.
Waiting to become what
grace
enables us to become.
Waiting in the presence of
holiness.
Waiting on the
grace
to learn,
grow,
mature.
Waiting for hearts to be
finally satisfied,
cries of longing
silenced.
Waiting on God
to do
what only he can
do.
Waiting.

Trust
is our calling,
not trust in
ourselves,
our power,
our wisdom,
our righteousness,
our control,
our plan.
The trust of abandonment,
forsaking all the things
we once put our
trust in,
resting completely on
the Lord,
standing firm
in hardship,
in confusion,
in loss,
in grief,
unwilling to turn on
him,
unwilling to question his
wisdom,
unwilling to doubt
his grace.
Trust.

Grace.
The thing to which we
cling.
Giving up control is not
natural
for us.
Confusion makes us
anxious,
angry,
and discouraged.
Submitting,
waiting,
trusting,
in peace and rest
is not natural for
us.
So, in love,
you, Lord, meet us
with
your rescuing,
empowering,
transforming, and
delivering grace.
So, willingly,
with trust in our
hearts,
we wait on you.
Grace.

A Prayer for Today: Lord, as I think about these five key words of the faith (Sovereignty, Confusion, Waiting, Trust, and Grace), I’m struck by how difficult the Christian life can be. Help me, Lord. I need you to guide my heart and mind in ways that draw me closer to you in the midst of life’s hardships and questions. By faith, I know your grace will sustain me as I walk alongside you, so I pray that you would continue to draw me back to your face even when I’m tempted to run elsewhere when things get upsetting and tough. I need your grace to help me trust in your grace! In Jesus’ name, amen.

Conversation Prompts for Children

  • Why do you think it can be so difficult to trust God sometimes? Is it easier to trust God when things are easy or difficult? How do you think God wants us to respond when we’re confused about what he’s doing in our lives?
  • Why can it be a good thing when God calls us to wait for him and his timing in life? How do you and I normally respond when we have to wait for something? How can we help each other get better at this?
  • Why is trusting God such an important part of the Christian life? Where are you having trouble trusting God right now? Can I share with you where I’m having trouble trusting God right now?
  • How can we pray for each other when it comes to living and believing in the goodness and grace of God?

Reflection Questions

1. What helps you cling to God when life’s circumstances make it difficult for you to believe in his sovereignty? Why is trusting in the sovereignty of God such a vital part of what it means to be his follower?

2. What is confusing you about how God is currently working in your life? What gives you hope amidst the confusion? How can your personal confusion be a catalyst for growing closer to God?

3. In what specific ways is God calling you to wait on him and trust in his timing for your life? How are the elements of waiting and trust closely related to one another, and how do you see them drawing you closer to the Lord?

4. Why is grace the overarching truth for every Christian, no matter what you’re going through right now? If you’re having trouble trusting in his grace, take some time right now to ask God for the grace to trust in his grace! Ask him to help you trust his character when you don’t understand what may be happening in your life.