You’ll have to trust something
If you’ve ever been zip lining, you’ve been hooked up to a series of straps and carabiners. The carabiner doesn’t look like much and you probably don’t think much about it. But what begins on a solid surface in relative safety will transform into a life-threatening situation. And if you want to proceed down the zipline, you’re going to have to trust the carabiner with your life.
[These are available on Amazon for $24.99. And, apparently, you can trust them with your life]
When you look down at that latch, you will have to question its reliability. You might question the method. Does this zip line technique work? Is it worth the risk of trusting the carabiner? Where does this zip line go? Can the carabiner carry me down the line?
In faith circles today, there are many so-called coffee cup verses. And, like the carabiner, it looks neat, but maybe you don’t think too much about it. Psalm 23 says, “The Lord is my shepherd, I lack nothing.” And, see, it’s neat! It makes us feel good, it’s simple and it assuages some fear and gives a little inspiration.
But if you proceed with your faith and the Shepherd, sooner of later, you’re going to have to put all your weight onto a verse. You’ll have to take it from the coffee mug, internalize it, and stake your life on it. Eventually, you will be forced to step off the platform and trust the verse with your life. (And of course, not everyone proceeds. But that's another subject for another post.)
Eventually you’ll ask:
Is the Author trustworthy? Revelation calls Jesus “faithful and true.” Is the claim about His nature true?
Is Scripture reliable?
Is this verse true?
Can I put my weight on this scripture?
Is this scripture even for me? (Can I take something written 3000 years ago and apply it to 2024?)
Is the claim in this verse worth taking the risk of trusting this verse?
Where does this “line” go? What are the logical conclusions of trusting this verse?
Taking the step is absolutely worth the risk. I think you find that you can, indeed, trust that coffee cup verse even when (and especially when) your life depends on it. You can trust who Hebrews 12 calls the “author and finisher” of our faith.
It’s either true or it’s not. It’s either real or it’s not. It’s either made for you and your situation or it’s not.
(PS: You're going to have to trust something--some system of belief. Having no carabiner is not an option. Eventually, you will have to decide. You will have a system. Everyone trusts something. Make sure your carabiner is trustworthy.)
Amazing photo by https://unsplash.com/@mcghavan