Trusting God or Using God?

Are we using God or are we trusting God? How dare I ask loving thoughtful and committed Christians such a question. Yet it is a question worthy of ponder and examination. We use God when we are consistently asking Him for something. That something can be good and worthwhile, noteworthy even. However it is our intentions that must be examined. King David asked God to search His heart to deliberately look for anything that prohibits His will and to test Him to see if in fact his actions and performance align with God’s purpose. He then goes on to ask God if there is something he missed then lead Him in the way of everlasting (Psalm 139:23-24). God loved David and David loved God but David understood “the heart is deceitful above all things and beyond cure (Jeremiah 17:9a)”. Your requests may be filled with good intention but there can be an underlying reason that does not demonstrate trust in God or a desire for His will and the only way that can be discerned is by asking God to search you. Seeking your desire can tear you away from God’s will and His plan for you. Think about it, we will go to our physicians for a check up an examination and yet our soul our spirit needs an equal amount of attention.When we ask God to lead us to the way everlasting we are essentially asking God to examine us, to change our request to change our motivations so that they are in line with what He desires. It is not wrong to make requests of God in fact He tells us to do so (Philippians 4:6-7) however in that request we are also saying “but if it is not what you desire for me guide me to Your perfect will”. That is what it means to trust God and to be led to the way of everlasting life.When we trust God we are seeking Him but when we use God we are seeking what we want for ourselves.“But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.” Matthew 6:33