Pause for thought: Trust
In recent times, trust is something I’ve become increasingly intrigued by. The reasons for this are numerous, as are the interconnected questions. To name a few, we all know what it is to delight in trusting a friend who lives up to that trust and conversely, a friend who we fear won’t. Also, there are those times in life when your landscape seems firm, but then at the turn of a comment from a person with influence in your life, your landscape suddenly feels less than firm, even shaky. There are times of stability in work, family, and health. Then with only the time it takes to have a doctor’s appointment, a chat at work, receive an email from a member of your family, stability seems instantly gone. These ups and downs seem to be the nature of life, or at least they do to me. Thus, what can you trust, who can you trust, and what is it to trust?
Perhaps I might start with the notion of friends. I have found that a friend who you can trust is one of life’s true treasures. A treasure that joyously Invokes reciprocal trust. Such friendship and trust creates a firm landscape that can uphold you, and is a priceless foundation in life. A friend who you can’t trust, is sadly no friend at all. Therefore, we might find ourselves with only a few friends, but better that, than the other. This may sound somewhat obvious, but when we experience true friendship in the heat of life, the word ‘obvious’ isn’t correct, but rather it is heavenly. I grew up in a context of waring gangs, poverty, broken homes and crime and yet within that crucible of fear, light shone brightly when friendship and trust stood as a barrier of truth against the darkness.
What about trusting God? This one is easy during times of plenty and stability, but what happens when times of instability, loss, and perhaps even trauma are upon us? If you are human and a person of faith, no doubt you would have wrestled with this. I have read numerous books about this, listened to lectures, sermons, engaged in group discussions, written items, and of course lived it. Some of the theories about trusting God are superb and stir the soul. However, I must confess I’ve never come across a watertight explanation. They seem to reach about 95% of explaining what it is to trust God in the good times as well as the bad, but never the dizzy heights of 100%. Although, the result of this research and of life’s journey with God has led me to simple a place, a simple understanding which has been tested in the heat of the day (for me). It is this: I don’t know why God doesn’t prevent all the bad things that happen to us, although perhaps He does prevent more than we realise, and we’ll only know upon seeing him when it is our time. However, I do know that He stands alongside us in everything. The deepest valleys and the highest mountains. The moments of despair and the moments of utter joy. I have learnt that I will always be asking, why did you allow this to happen God? Why didn’t you prevent it? But I have also learnt that God is able to make rivers in the desert. I have experienced this many times! He is able to bring life even when there is death. This is my understanding of trust in God. The Cross was followed by the first Easter Day when new life was born, never to die again.
Perhaps I might gently suggest the nature of trust is seen in the passages of scripture below. Life will have its up and downs, but we’re wonderfully invited to trust that God will stand alongside us in all of them.
Isaiah 43:2
When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and through the rivers, they shall not overwhelm you; when you walk through fire you shall not be burned, and the flame shall not consume you.
I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world.
John 14:27
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.
1 Peter 5:7
Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you.
Revd Chris Thomson