Read: Isaiah 50:4-9a, Philippians 2:5-11, Mark 14-15 Passionate Trust
“Can God be trusted?” continues as my primary ministry question. Boil it all down, all the talk and all the speculation and we are left with this one simple question. Can we trust a God who feels distant? Can we trust a God who allows my neighbor’s cancer or her daughter being run over by a drunk driver? Can we trust a God who creates a world where millions suffer in poverty without daily water or food; while a comparative few worry if their lifestyle will have to suffer because of a downturn in their massive wealth? Can we trust a God who allows a world to be more concerned with a pet’s food preferences than its own children’s future? Can we trust you God when we lose our job, lose our sanity, or lose our life?
Lately, I have been responding to a lot of questions with, “The proof is in the pudding.” We can say we trust God; however, our actions will be the proof of our willingness to trust God. How we respond to the trials and events in our life displays our trust. It is not the events or trials in themselves; rather it is always our reaction to those events which reveals the focus of our trust.
Now listen to this, if we trust is not the question. We all trust in something, someone. To trust is to breath, to have being. Trust is the human experience. However, where we place our trust is up for grabs. Should trust be placed in ones ability, or wealth, or appearance, or spouse, or children? In what, or whom, do we trust? And just how is that trust moved from one place to another? Does trust move quickly in a shock and awe move, or does trust take some time to shake and bake? Both seem possible. Both are within our experience.
Our actions display the focus of our trust, even the level or intensity of our trust. Who or what we trust is a choice. We see Jesus on the cross and realize his trust in the Father calls out for our lives to follow. Can God be trusted?
Scripture: Mark 15:1-39
Sermon: “Trust, not Rust”
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