Trust Isn't Easy, but It's Powerful

Trust is one of those things that is a relationship definer. If we can't trust someone we aren't able to fully live in harmony with that person. Isn't trust always the cliche "relationship definer" in all the movies? "Why didn't it work out between us?" "Well, I couldn't trust you." 


In the Christian faith trust becomes equally as important. It is one of those things that define our relationship between us and our creator. If we can't trust our Redeemer and Savior we cannot fully live into the people we are called to be. Without trust as our relationship definer between us and God, we are limiting his power and suppressing ours. Its when we break down the walls of insecurity and stand abandoned of ourselves, and place everything we have within Him that we fully become Christ followers. 

Jeremiah 17:5-8

This is what the LORD says:

   “Cursed is the one who trusts in man, 

   who draws strength from mere flesh 

   and whose heart turns away from the LORD. 

That person will be like a bush in the wastelands; 

   they will not see prosperity when it comes. 

They will dwell in the parched places of the desert, 

   in a salt land where no one lives.

 “But blessed is the one who trusts in the LORD, 

   whose confidence is in him. 

They will be like a tree planted by the water 

   that sends out its roots by the stream. 

It does not fear when heat comes; 

   its leaves are always green. 

It has no worries in a year of drought 

   and never fails to bear fruit.”

Whom do you place your trust in?

We find instances in our church services where knowingly or not we make pleas unto God, pleas that we might not live up to. My friend Mark Sorensen, in responses to challenging lyrics in a song, says this, "thats something dangerous to sing...."

Some instances we can find are:

"So what can I say what can I do but offer this heart O God to You

So I'll stand with arms high and heart abandoned in awe of the One who gave it all...

So I'll stand my soul Lord to you surrendered....

All I am is Yours" - The Stand by Hillsong United 

"Heal my heart and make it clean 

Open up my eyes to the things unseen
Show me how to love like you have loved me

Break my heart from what breaks yours

Everything I am for your kingdoms cause" - Hosanna by Hillsong United 




"When we walk with the Lord

In the light of His word,

What a glory He sheds on our way!

While we do His good will,

He abides with us still,

And with all who will trust and obey" - Trust and Obey (traditional hymn) 

Whom do you place your trust in?


This weekend I experienced a holy instance of complete trust in God and neighbor. Twice a year the United Methodist Youth in Louisiana participate in a spiritual weekend called The Happening. Happening is a weekend retreat for youth, led by youth. Through a mere 3 days a complete group of strangers become family. They experience bonds that will last them a lifetime. I had the opportunity to attend Happening my senior year, and serve on staff twice. It was one of the most rewarding experiences I have ever had the blessing to take part in. It was at Happening that the calling from God on my life became evident. It was there that I knew God had ordained me to do his work in the world through the ministry of His Holy Church. There is something about that weekend that is special. Lives are changed, and Christ's love are evident in each and every attendee. 


At the conclusion of the weekend the "happeners" are invited to tell about their experiences in their "small families." They always seem to come back to the fact that only three days ago they came here not knowing anyone, but left with an entirely new family. It was because of this peculiar thing we call trust that bonded them together. Trust was the relationship definer. 


Through this weekend they stood, with arms high and hearts abandoned in awe of the One who gave it all.... 

Like a mother who sends their child off for the first time to kindergarten, or a mother bird who pushes the chicks out of the nest for the first time, or a baby kangaroo who exists the pouch for the first time, trust defines each relationship. 

Trust is a beautiful thing. When we finally let go of ourselves, and give it all to God, we become the wonderful, holy people God created us to be. 

So friends, Whom do you place your trust in?