“Are we there yet?” A question we all can remember quite well. I remember road tripping to California where some of my family lived and hearing that very question echo throughout my four younger siblings over and over again. I remember feeling so annoyed and thinking if I ever have to hear that question again, it will be too soon. Then a few years later God said, “What if you went into kids ministry?” Ironic I know. If anyone ever thinks God doesn’t have a sense of humor, I disagree.
Although extremely annoying, I found myself wondering why these questions were always being asked. Obviously if the car is still in motion, we have not arrived at the destination. So why are you asking if we are there yet. As humans, we always want to know what’s coming next. Why? The unknown is uncomfortable.
When we hear “are we there yet” it is not a literal question but rather a question of validation where the person who asked is making sure we are still sticking to the plan. The question is really us asking “Can I trust you?” This is a constant cycle that we go through everyday. We constantly are avoiding that feeling of being uncomfortable.
Ready for some more irony? The Bible directly contradicts this way of thinking of always wanting to know whats coming next. John 14:1 says, “Don’t let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God, and trust also in me.”
Imagine you ask Jesus “Are we there yet?” and He responds with “Just trust me.” In that moment you must decide: do you trust Him or will you continue to ask the question?
Let’s try again with a few more questions. Imagine you ask Jesus “How am I going to pay this?” and He says “just trust me.” What about “How do I fix my marriage?” and He says “just trust me.”
A lot of people hear, “just trust me” but don’t fully realize what that means.
When most people hear, “just trust me” they hear “sit and wait” but no one likes to sit in the uncomfortable feeling of not knowing.
The most obvious way he wraps up the entire thought is in verse 15-. “If you love me, obey my commandments.”
We come to know Jesus from obeying…. When we obey him, spend time with him, we KNOW him.
Truly trusting Jesus is also obeying His commandments.
It’s not some blind trust that requires us to wait in the darkness.
So what is it that you need to truly trust Jesus with?
I encourage you to read John 14 entirely, reflect on the passage, and ask God “are we there yet?”
SOAP Scripture: John 14
S: (scripture)
Read the above passage and underline, highlight, or write down passages that stand out to you. Maybe re-read it a few times if that’s helpful.
O: (observation)
Write down things you observe about the passage. Maybe it’s a word that stood out to you, something the passage made you think about, or a question that you have.
A: (application)
Write down some ways that the passage applies to your life. Make it personal.
P: (prayer)
Take a moment and pray. Ask God to make the passage practical to your everyday life.
