WHO DO YOU TRUST?

WHO DO YOU TRUST?

There used to be a daytime quiz show in the late 50’s called Who do you trust?  It was silly, but fun. 

In real life that question is not fun, but critical to our security.   Usually the real answer is no one, not really.   We say we trust the pilot, we trust the surgeon, but actually there is always that hint of doubt that all will be well and our trust rewarded.  The reason is valid.  We are putting our trust in another human being and being one ourselves we have our doubts. 

Unfortunately, the same sliver of doubt accompanies our trust in God.  When my son went away to college, I told God, ‘He’s all yours now. I trust you to care for him.”

Then for the next four years, I asked regularly, “You’re sure you’re watching over him?”  Rare is the person who has achieved absolute trust in God. 

It’s not as if God takes this doubt lying down, though.  In chapters 38 to 41 of the book of Job, God responds to Job’s mistrust,  “Where were you when I founded the earth?” Then for page after page, God reminds us, not only of His great power and control of everything, but also of his deep and abiding love for all His creation. He recounts every little detail of his creative power.  The oceans stop at the shoreline.

Animal mothers, protect, feed and teach their young because of the instincts that God has given them.

“For who has known the mind of God, or who has been His counselor?

Or who has given Him that he must be repaid?

For from Him, through Him, and for Him, all things are made.”

(Rom 11:34, 1Cor. 2:16, Is. 40:13)

These words run through Scripture as more and more prophets recognized the absolute trustworthiness of God.  Now, if only we would.  Part of the problem is that when we call on God, we want the answer to be on our terms, not God’s.  We can’t seem to bring ourselves to acknowledge that God knows what’s best.  Jesus said, “God knows what you need before you ask.”  Notice the word is need, not want. In another place He said,  “Ask and you shall receive.”  The missing word here is ‘it’. He does not say what you will receive, only that God will respond in some way. It might be new insight.  It might be a change of heart.  Once we accept that God always responds, we can begin to grow in understanding of his perfect love.

The only way to achieve absolute trust in God is to try.  To end every request with the words of Jesus Christ himself; “Not my will, but thine.”

Blessings,

Carol Lemelin OPA