Vollie's Views



Learning to Trust
By Vollie Sanders

I held my breath as I watched her, trying not to let my grandmother's heart interfere with an opportunity to learn to trust, rather than yield to fear. We were in the Mall of America in Minnesota having an ice cream break beside all the huge Disney-like attractions. Little two-year-old Brynna wanted to walk on a 12-inch brick ledge surrounding the outside tables. I tried to keep my mouth shut and my body still, but it was a real struggle for me. As we watched her take tiny little steps, God gave me another lesson in faith. She never once looked at her feet! Brynna looked straight ahead to her father, Nathan. It was fun for her because as long as she looked at her father, she was completely unaware of the danger surrounding her. Oh, how we long to have that childlike faith . . . how we long to be able to walk on those narrow ledges He places before us with the perfect security that our granddaughter showed.

Often, when we think of faith-teachers in Scripture, we think of the big names:  Paul, Peter, Abraham, Moses, etc. But recently God led me to Ananias, the disciple that God used to help bring Saul into the kingdom. Ananias took some pretty difficult steps of faith. They may seem like baby steps compared to some of the others, but they were essential for his faith, and for Saul of Tarsus.
  • Faith-step....Acts 9:10...he was available to hear when God spoke.
  • Faith-step....Acts 9:ll....he listened to what God wanted from him.
  • Faith-step.....Acts 9:13-14....he explained his fears to God.
  • Faith-step....Acts 9:15....he heard about God's plans for Saul.
  • Faith-step....Acts 9:17-19...he laid hands on Saul, and explained God's purpose to him.
If Ananias had not taken those steps of faith, perhaps God would have used someone else. But what an opportunity he would have missed because of fear, because of all he saw and heard about the man Saul.

Just as God used a little two-year-old to teach me that day, I believe that God gives us opportunities every day to take baby steps of faith toward others for our own growth and for theirs. Amy Carmichael says the same thing beautifully as she writes, "There is a curious comfort in remembering that the Father depends on His child not to give way. It is inspiring to be trusted with a hard thing."

Let's pray that God will trust us with the hard things that are involved in building our faith. Let's take the baby steps He sets before us with joy, as we look straight into His face.
Vollie Sanders is the National Director of Navigator Women's Ministry, committed to edifying, encouraging, and equipping women to know Christ and to make Him known.

As National Director, Vollie is involved in training women across the US, helping and enabling them to be fully involved in the discipleship and leadership process across their seasons of life.

Vollie has authored one book for NavPress, Train Up a Mom, and published an article for Discipleship Journal. Vollie is a wife, mother of three, and grandmother of five.