Mtr Mary Trainor

Trust and obey, for there's no other way to be happy in Jesus, but to trust and obey  …

Dear friend,

Trust.

I find “trust” one of the most important things in life. In every form of true relationship, trust is a prerequisite—at least it is for me.

There are levels of what many call trustworthiness. In trying to explain this to myself sometimes I use a phrase similar to this; “Oh, I trust them with a five-dollar bill  …” By that I mean they are technically honest and, while they may not steal from me, they are not necessarily trustworthy enough to hear my innermost thoughts and feelings.

Not a grief nor a loss, not a frown nor a cross, but is blest if we trust and obey  …

In reading Luke for today’s Daily Office, I found a familiar passage—and also found a new focus, so often the case with scripture: “From everyone to whom much has been given, much will be required; and from the one to whom much has been entrusted, even more will be demanded…”

Mostly I have heard preachers emphasizing the first part—from everyone to whom much has been given, much will be required.

It’s tough enough to be responsible with this expectation. But it seems an easier reach: God gives to me, I give back and to others. They can never be equal gifts, of course, God being God and me being me and all. But I can at least imagine the idea of reciprocity.

Not a burden we bear, not a sorrow we share, but our toil He doth richly repay  …

Now for the shift, from things given and things required, to things entrusted and things demanded.

Entrusted. Demanded. That clearly ups the ante for my relationship with God. It’s no longer a round of gift exchange. It’s become a call to trust with trust, understanding that anything may be demanded. Any time. Anywhere. How can I possibly meet such a demand? I don’t know, but I find comfort in the belief that God never leaves me to bear my burdens alone.

What He says we will do, where He sends we will go, never fear, only trust and obey  …

Mtr Mary

*Lift Every Voice and Sing, Number 205, lyrics, J.H. Sammis; music, D.B. Townes.