Dare to Ask!

The most important question you will every ask yourself, “Can I trust God?” Can you trust Him with your life, family, finances, future, job, ministry, and yes even your sin? To be honest it is a question I wrestle with every single day in one way or another.

I just finished a book given to me in Africa called Dare to Ask: The Questions which Shape our Ordinary Lives by Aukje Brouwer. Aukje and Toby Brouwer lived in beautiful village in Friesland, a rural region in the Netherlands. They had three small children, lived by family and friends, and loved their life in an idyllic setting.

But in the midst of there peaceful life the Spirit began to speak and ended up calling them to South Africa to work with vulnerable children. Aukje shares her wrestling match with God and thoughts about if He really could be trusted: “Was He really who He said He was – a loving caring Father? Could He provide for us? Would He be able to protect our family? As she entered into a passionate open dialogue with God, He made His intentions known to her from these words in Deuteronomy:

“So be strong and courageous! Do not be afraid and do not panic. For the Lord, your God will personally go ahead of you. He will neither fail you nor abandon you,” (31:6)

With this fresh revelation from the LORD, Aukje responded, “Yes, LORD. I choose to trust you!” (p. 18). That declaration of trust would lead them to relocate to Cape Town South Africa in 1991. This was during a time of uprising against the injustice of apartheid, the country was deeply divided. Trust in a loving Father propelled Aukje and Toby through many struggles and spiritual battles-but they continued to reach out to needy children and spearheaded Beautiful Gate Children’s Center as a beacon of hope in the midst of a troubled township.

Dare to Ask is an amazing testimony to a faithful and loving Father who cares for His children and above all can be trusted even in the darkest of times. It challenged me to keep my eyes fixed on the precious gift of the Father, His beloved son Jesus. As I often wrestle with the question “Can I trust you Father with_______?” A glance at a crucified Savior taking my place on the cross helps me answer that question. Oh how He loves you and me!

“Since God did not spare even His own Son but gave Him up for us all, won’t God, who gave us Christ, also give us everything else? (Romans. 8:32).