Trusting in the Lord is paramount to our Faith

 Trusting in the Lord is paramount to our Faith

We always hear the words  “hold onto your faith” but how quickly this advice leaves us as soon as we hear it.  It can become like a ship in the night that keeps on sailing into the horizon.  As we watch it slowly passes by and we see it no more. 

Following the advice of teachers is only worthwhile if we believe that person and they have made their point one of complete trust by their examples. 

Psalm 62:  “My soul, be at rest in God alone, from whom comes my hope.  God alone is my rock and my salvation, my secure height;  I shall not fall.  My safety and glory are with God, my strong rock and refuge.  Trust God at all times, my people!  Pour out your hearts to God our refuge!”  (Ps 62: 6 - 9).

There might be more scriptural verses on trust than some of the other attributes of God’s gifts.  What is the real essence of trusting God?  When a decision to follow his urging is an unknown, how much pondering do we delve into it and many times ignore his guidance?  

Abraham, Issac, Jacob, Jeremiah, Isaiah, and many more throughout the Old Testament had to have complete trust in the voice of God when he called them, then sent each one on a road of calling others to understand God. 

Perhaps the easiest direction most people will follow is to retreat from God’s call to do or go in a shrouded manner.  Unless the Lord sends me a written contract guaranteeing a positive outcome, I will not do his bidding.  Looking at the prophets mentioned above, we who are Christian would not be here without their acceptance of trusting in God, and following that idea.

When I was seeking a full-time ministry as a deacon my resume reached a parish in Midland,TX.  Upon answering their call for a full-time position my wife and I flew out for a three day interview.  There were some who warned me about making this move, and because of unknown circumstances it did prove to be positive in one manner and negative in another.  The point is I listened to the Holy Spirit urging me to go.  The positive thing that occurred is one man who befriended me decided to enter the diaconate.  One woman told me before we returned to Pittsburgh that they learned from me what it was to be forgiving.  Those two incidents were worth more than bemoaning the final outcome.  If I would have known what the result of a seemingly failure was, this woman and other parishioners would have been dismayed about their parish and the pastor.  Mike, the new deacon, may never have followed God’s call to ministry.

I trusted in the Lord’s words to me regarding making the move to Texas, if for only a short time.  My ministry, while there, covered a number of pastoral events and making many friends through the Church and finding some who needed my forgiveness and not revenge.  That in itself is what pastoral care is all about, and what we are called to do no matter what our status is!

Ralph B. Hathaway