Monday, January 30, 2012

"'Tis So Sweet to Trust in Jesus . . ."


John 6:29
Jesus answered, "The work of God is this: to believe in the one he has sent."

I trust you . . .

Three simple words. Waltzing arm-in-arm with the magical trio: "I love you".

Because, you can't love without trust, and you can't trust without love.

I trust you . . .

Handing your teen the car keys. Assigning an important project to the new employee. Watching your spouse leave for an extended, overseas business trip.

I trust you . . .

"Mom, I've got some good news and some bad news . . . " Teen fine. Car totaled.

"Mr. Smith, I have some good news and some bad news . . ." Project nearly complete. Deadline missed.

"I hate to break this to you over the phone . . ." Good news: Huge promotion. Bad news: Located in France. Not returning to the States. Not sending for you . . .

He's met someone. Fallen in love.

I trusted you!

Trust. Shattered like that plate glass window your son's baseball hit after you told him not to practice in the yard. Broken like the porcelain doll you warned your daughter not to touch. Scattered in your heart like confetti along a parade route.

That's when love steps in . . . and begins, ever so slowly, methodically, to piece trust back together.

It takes time. Lots of time.

And, when the divorce papers arrive, maybe never . . .
~
Jesus asks us to trust Him. To believe in Him whom the Father has sent.

The One who will never break that trust. The One who will never let us down.

The One whose love will always be there to pick up and put back together our broken lives.

Are you trusting in Jesus?

Will you pray with me?
We trust, Father, in Your steadfast, unwavering love for us. While others we trust may disappoint us, we know You never will. Thank you for sending Your beloved Son, Jesus, that we might trust in the gift of eternal life through Him. Amen.

Psalms 56, 57, (58) or 64, 65
Genesis 19:1-17 (18-23) 24-29
Hebrews 11:1-12
John 6:27-40

17 comments:

  1. Trust is something that once broken is so difficult to get back. But what about second chances? are we foolish to give a loved one another chance to gain back our trust? I dont know. But you are right, God is the only one that never gives up on you and break your trust.

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  2. Hi, Rimly, thanks for this beautiful comment!
    Yes, I believe we can and do give our loved ones a second chance, especially our spouses and children. But, I agree, trust is like the fate of Humpty-Dumpty once he is broken - so difficult to put back together . . .
    I'm so glad I can trust in the One who will never forsake me.
    Blessings always!

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  3. Trust is so fragile, Martha. Those of us who have found trust in relationships are truly blessed. But we all can put our trust in a most trustworthy God - that's the Good News, isn't it?

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    Replies
    1. Hi, Corinne, thanks so much for coming by today!
      This was one of the hardest lessons I tried to teach my kids - when trust is broken, it takes a long time and much testing down the road, to regain it.
      And, yes, being able to trust the Lord is the Good News, indeed!
      Blessings!

      Delete
  4. If trust is tantamount to love, then trust never dies. We simply put our selves in front of a Higher Being and allow Him to take us wherever He wants. I was reflecting on this on human terms. When my brother sees that I'm nervous, he'd just say, leave it, be at peace and do not be anxious. The very same words Jesus said (Mt.6,34) and St. Paul (Phil. 4,6).

    Just like a little child who allows himself/herself to be loved ~ this is what trust is or me.

    I pray with you Martha...God is our Rock, our Stronghold, Fortress, Redeemer, Shepherd and most of all greatest Lover!

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    Replies
    1. Hi, Melissa, and thank you for coming by today!
      I love your image of trust as a little child allowing him or herself to be loved. It is just as our Lord told us - to become as little children who trust and love without question. It is the only way to enter the Kingdom . . .
      And, yes, the Lord is our greatest love!
      Blessings!

      Delete
  5. Trust is so important in a relationship and so is the belief. Life is not easy. It is easy to break away and break down, but holding on to the trust is the true test in the relationship.

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    Replies
    1. Hi, Janu, so glad you stopped by today!
      I agree. Trust is the very cornerstone if lasting relationships are to be made. It has to be in place, solidly, or the relationship will certainly crumble.
      Blessings!

      Delete
  6. Trust has always been the hardest issue for me. How could I trust God when he was perceived as male, making him man like. Men were not to be trusted. Thankfully I found a way to ignore the normal perceptions and put my higher power in a place beyond human, making trust much easier to develop.

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    Replies
    1. Hi, Jan, and thanks for coming by today!
      It's not uncommon for people who have had abusive fathers or male relatives to find it difficult to worship "God, the Father". I'm so glad to know you have overcome this, remembering He IS the Higher Power; we are the ones who too often try to put him in a box.
      Blessings!

      Delete
  7. If there is no trust..I believe there can be nothing in a relationship.We're never so vulnerable than when we trust someone - but paradoxically, if we cannot trust, neither can we find love or joy.But first one has to believe in themselves..trust themselves..“I can't control my destiny, I trust my soul, my only goal is just to be. There's only now, there's only here. Give in to love or live in fear. No other path, no other way. No day but today.”
    When you trust God, He'll even use your shortcomings to produce His expected outcome! His strength is made perfect in your weakness.After facing some unbearably tough situations in life..I finally gave it up to God..
    It was then I had to abandon my sense of "control" or fear of the unknown and trust in God who has always been faithful to provide...and has given me justice.So today I can say...
    I praise God for what he has promised. I trust in God, so why should I be afraid? What can mere mortals do to me?

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    Replies
    1. Thank you, Alpana, for stopping by today and leaving another gem of a comment!
      I love the sentiments you have in quotations. I'm guessing you wrote that? Stunning!
      Yes, it took me a LONG time to let go and let God, but such freedom and joy I have experienced in my life since then. Indeed, when we are weak, He is strong; and we can lean on Him knowing His trust is steadfast and true.
      Blessings to you!

      Delete
  8. Hi Martha:
    Trust and Love
    Two tricky words that can bite us if we're not careful. We have to know when they are words we can use on someone. If we use them too soon in a relationship it can derail a blossoming relationship.

    If we wait too long? The time may pass us by. It can be difficult to know when to say those words.

    What to do? In the end we have to follow our heart. What does it tell us? We can't close ourselves off because we're afraid of rejection. Trust (Ah, there's that word) that God has our best interest at heart. If we do that, even if something doesn't work out the way we want it too, we'll understand that something better is waiting around the next corner for us.
    --
    Chris

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    Replies
    1. Hi, Chris, and thank you so much for stopping by and leaving your thoughtful comments.
      Trust and love are intertwined. As I wrote in the post, one doesn't exist without the other.
      Before we plunge into the risk of a relationship, afraid of the rejection, as you mention, we DO need to remember to go to God first before taking that step. And, to know He will ever be there for us even when our choices were not the best, trusting that, as you said, He has something better in mind for us. Something we must heed . . .
      Blessings!

      Delete
  9. I will be honest with you. I have read the book, Why Bad Things Happen to good people. It seems like I have had a life time of bad things that has happened to me. Then I decided to have a relationship with God. I felt his presents all the time with me. I talked with him all the time.That has changed and I don't feel as deeply connected to him. I know that God or the Universe is watching over me, and taking care of me. I see blessings in the smallest of things. I do miss the connection I once had with him.

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    Replies
    1. Hi, Cathy, and thanks so much for stopping by and taking time to comment!
      I think we all go through what I term "dry spells" where we know God is there, but we don't "feel" His presence as we once did. A friend recently wrote in his post that faith is not a feeling. It isn't. Faith involves heart, mind, soul, and strength.
      Seeing the little things as blessings is a step in the right direction. My prayer for you is to just begin talking to Him again like you would a best friend and then be still. Take time to listen. And, give it time.
      He is there, through the good and the bad, a hard lesson I had to learn, too.
      Blessings!

      Delete

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