Faith to OvercomeSample

Leaning on God

Written by Roslyn Yilpet

Proverbs 3 verse 5 says, “Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding.”

His voice was smooth and melodic; the audience would never have known Andraé Crouch stuttered as a youth. The first time I heard him perform in a Detroit stadium, I was overwhelmed by how his music drew us closer to Jesus.

At the age of nine, Andraé accepted Jesus as his Savior. Although he had a severe stutter, Crouch said yes when his father, a pastor, asked him to lead the church’s music. In doing so, he embodied the instruction in Proverbs 3: “Trust the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding.” For Crouch to become a singer and songwriter didn’t make sense given his speech impediment, but he trusted God to work despite his challenges. The next verse urges, “In all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight.” Crouch obeyed God’s calling and traveled the world, impacting lives by sharing the gospel through music. He frequently encountered racism, but he wasn’t afraid. His obedience is a witness to what it means to follow God, even if we don’t understand where He’s leading us.

It’s easy to doubt God’s leading during times of uncertainty and struggle. We must recall the cloud of witnesses that have gone before us—like Andraé Crouch. We acknowledge that the God who guided them will also straighten our paths as we go through the crooked turns of life.

What path has or is God calling you to take? How can you lean on Him even when it doesn’t make sense?

Let’s pray.

My Omniscient God, help me to lean on You, even in challenges.

Amen.