Trusting God
Trust is difficult. There are reasons we typically do not extend trust to strangers. People let us down. Not everyone has what we would call pure motives. Life has taught us that many people are in it for themselves and are not concerned about the best intentions for others. We understand why trust must often be earned.
Herein lies a recognized crux of the Bible. We are to give God our full trust even though we have never seen him, spoken to him, or socialized with him. These are the ways that we are accustomed to building trust in others. So, how do we make that switch? Are we able to throw off norms and allow ourselves to build trust in a unique way?
The Bible illustrates the need for trust in God from cover to cover. Adam and Eve were challenged to trust God. They were forced to decide if God really provided everything they needed in the Garden of Eden. They had to evaluate the warning of God concerning the forbidden tree with the potential benefits expressed by the snake. Was God holding back on them? Limiting them? Even controlling them? Did they trust him enough to stay away despite the other temptation of promised blessing?
The book of Revelation continually illustrates the idea of trust. Consider the following thought to the church at Smyrna. “Do not fear what you are about to suffer. Behold, the devil is about to throw some of you into prison, that you may be tested, and for ten days you will have tribulation. Be faithful unto death, and I will give you the crown of life” (Revelation 2.10). In the face of death, would these Christians trust God enough to proceed with the tribulation and suffering? Let’s be honest – that’s asking for a lot of trust in God.
How much do you really trust God? Do you really trust him enough to love him with all your heart, strength, and mind (Matthew 22.37)? Do you trust that Jesus truly provides a pattern for “abundant life” (John 10.10)? If so, what does that even mean? What does it look like to love God with everything?
Try as we may, extending trust will be impossible without a thorough knowledge of God. By knowledge, I do not mean knowing facts. The fact that Jesus was born in Jerusalem and grew up in Nazareth does not create trust. Instead, knowing the God’s deliverance for his people in Egypt creates trust. Seeing the Jesus’ care for widows produces trust. Understanding God’s concern and love for me generates trust.
As a parent, this idea must significantly affect how I teach my children about Jesus. Am I portraying God in a way that leads to trust? The only way that I can effectively do that is if I demonstrate my own trust for God. Do I allow him to dictate my priorities? Does my love for others illustrate my belief in an eternal reality? Just as our children can see whether or not a parent loves and trusts the other parent, so our children can see the levels of our trust in God. What do your children see in you?