If I asked you what your 3 most important keys are – what would you say? Maybe the keys to your house, your car, and your _____________ . (fill in the blank: safe, diary, yard barn, motorcycle, locked snack box, or ?)
These days, you don’t always use a metal key to get into locked places. There are new, super-cool, technology keys – like a key fob, access ID card, device password, dual authentication, retinal scan, DNA match, fingerprint access, etc. (No modern snack box locks that I’m aware of!)
Keys Are Important
Keys are important to us. They help us keep things safe. They bring a certain assurance and peace of mind. We’ve all found out – some the hard way – that keeping valuables unlocked can mean losing them!
But there are still dependables. I think I made that word up – but I like it! Dependables are things you can truly rely on to keep your important stuff safe. In these recent days, it seems increasingly important to have life dependables. I’ve been pondering 3 of the most important, dependable “keys” we have.
Before We Talk About Keys
First I want to reflect on 3 things I’ve heard – especially the last year or two. Perhaps you’ve heard similar statements:
- “I don’t know how to trust very well. And it’s hard to know who to trust these days. There are too many unknowns, too many hurts, too many lies. Life is too complicated to trust well.”
OR it might sound like –
- “I’m not very good at doing the right things as far as God is concerned. I don’t even seem to know how to do what He wants. Other times, it just seems confusing. Obeying God is hard.”
THEN there’s this one –
- “I certainly don’t do well resting in God. Global days are getting tough! So are my own days. So often I feel anxious, concerned, overlooked, and upset. Sometimes I don’t even know why.”
Now Back to Keys
Well, my friend, those are issues we all tend to struggle with in one form or another. So, you are not alone. Those issues are important to most of us. We want to keep our life stuff safe. We want assurance and peace of mind. Our life valuables are special enough to protect. We don’t want to lose them. That’s why we actually need – NOT a metal key and – NOT a new, super-cool, technology key. We need powerful, invisible, effective spiritual keys to guard our hearts – our life stuff. Our lives are important to us – and to God! They are worth protecting. So He gives you 3 most important keys.
What Are The 3 Most Important Keys?
I believe there are 3 most important keys to every follower of Jesus. And these keys are not just for new believers. They are “tried-and-true, never-rust, never-bend-out-of-shape, handy-dandy, always work, never-break-off-in-the-lock” kind of keys. A seasoned believer should be using these 3 most important keys every day. If you ever think you know all about this and can skip over it – you may have already been robbed of your valuable life stuff. These 3 keys are the air, bread, and water of God’s people:
- Trust
- Obey
- Rest
When you face challenges, stresses, and unknowns, it can be unnerving. Anxiety can set in. Your comfort zone is stretched. Equilibrium is threatened. Even safety is threatened – on a global level and on an individual daily level. Time for a key! You need these 3 most important keys! And you need to know how to use them effectively. These keys will calm anxiety, stretch your comfort zone safely, and restore equilibrium. They will bring assurance and peace of mind.
A Closer Look At The 3 Most Important Keys
Certain things happen underneath and inside you when you trust, obey, and rest.
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Trust When you choose to trust God, you exercise faith in the safest, strongest Person that exists. This Person made everything! This Person also invites you to be His dear friend! You can trust Him! Prov. 3:5-6 says, “Trust in the Lord with all your heart and don’t lean on your own understanding. In all your ways, acknowledge Him, and He will make your paths straight.” Let me just say – if you don’t have this key, you’re gonna lose your life stuff.
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Obey
When you resolve to obey God, you practice surrender for a better way than your own. Plus, you choose to be the person you were created to be. Why not find out who you are intended to be – and courageously BE that person . . . with the help of your dear Friend, Jesus? Jn. 14:15 says, “If you love Me, you will keep My commandments.” Prov. 18:24 tells you that Jesus “is a Friend who sticks closer than a brother.” Let me just say – without a resolve to obey, you are going to flounder.
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Rest When you choose to rest in God, you pick up the peace Jesus promised you. It becomes one of your treasures. This rest brings a deep satisfaction and contentment as you just relax into Jesus. He loves you – so much! Jn. 14:27 says, “Peace I leave with you; My peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid.” Then Ps. 131:2a gives the action step needed to enter into peace. “I calm and quiet my soul.” That’s your part. Let me just say – if you don’t step into God’s peace as you navigate your troubles, you might just fall apart!
So, what is the stuff happening underneath and inside you –
Trust results from Faith. (That means you are actively believing God.)
Obey results from Surrender. (That means you are giving yourself completely to God.)
Rest results from embracing Peace. (That means you are content to be who He designed you to be.)
Another Way To Look At It
Here is another way of looking at this information. Sometimes seeing a chart helps.
| What You Need To Do | What Is Going On Inside You As You Do These Things |
|---|---|
| TRUST | You actively believe God – FAITH |
| OBEY | You give yourself completely to God – SURRENDER |
| REST | You are content to be who God designed – PEACE |
Those things go on underneath and inside you – in your deepest heart – as you engage your full self in using your 3 most important keys: Trust, Obey, Rest. They are important. Why? Because it’s not only using these keys that changes you. It’s what is happening underneath and inside you as you use them. Ask God to transform you as you insert and turn your 3 most important keys. Partner With God! You Can Do This! Love God back by using your 3 most important keys!
Here’s How That Works
While you are busy doing the work of trusting, obeying, and resting, what is God busy doing? Let’s use His own words to answer that question. (Scripture always gives insightful, rich answers to our life questions as we try to keep our life stuff safe.)
“Before they call, I will answer. While they are still speaking, I will hear.” (Is. 65:24)
That’s what God is busy doing. Let me say it this way: BEFORE you cry out to Him, He is already answering. WHILE you are still forming your request and presenting it, He is hearing you loud and clear.
Yes, God is poised in position, ready to launch into action the second you use your Trust Key. You know what else God is busy doing? He is looking to reward you when your heart is fully committed to use your Obey Key. (“…the eyes of the Lord range throughout the earth to strengthen those whose hearts are fully committed to him.” 2 Chron. 16:9) And He has also prepared special renewing times of oasis along your path as you use your Rest Key. (“Come to Me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.” Mt. 11:28)
Your 3 Most Important Keys to Keep Your Life Stuff Safe: Trust! Obey! Rest!
Application Questions and Thoughts
- What keys do you have in your life pocket?
- Do you have the 3 most important keys on your key ring?
- Will you pick up these keys and use them?
- Do you realize these keys are literally laying on your desk in front of you – waiting to be picked up?
- What is keeping you from picking them up and trying them out?
- Is there anything in your experience that discourages you from grabbing these keys firmly and inserting them into your walk with God? Name whatever is getting in the way. Then give it to God. Let it go. Sometimes you may have to kick it out of the way!
Use your 3 most important keys every day to have an Alive and Active Life!
