When we put money in the bank, or in a credit union, we are placing our trust in that institution. We do this trusting that our money will be properly handled. When we try a new recipe, we are putting our trust in the source of the recipe. We are trusting that whoever shared this recipe has tried it and knows that it works and that the result will be favorable. When we buy a car, we are putting our trust in the manufacturer and the seller that the car will run as expected. When we wait for the city bus to take us somewhere, we are putting our trust in the bus system to have the buses running. Each and every day, in many ways, we are putting our trust in people and systems and institutions. We trust every day.
In Psalm 25, the writer declares, “O my God, in you I trust.” Lent is a time to consider what it means to put our trust in God. Putting our trust in God might mean not putting our trust in some other things. It might change how we look at our circumstances. It should affect our entire outlook on life. Does it?
Jesus is one we can look to for putting his complete and total trust in God. Consider what that meant for him.
“O my God, in you I trust.” It is a simple plea, yet potentially life changing. Think about your life. Think about today. How did you put your trust in God today? How does putting your trust in God shape your world view? Your self concept? Your values? Your behavior? Putting our trust in God frees us from putting trust in things which are not steadfast, which do not prove true, which fail us. Even church and political involvements can let us down. Can you think of a time that your trust was betrayed and that your trust was broken? Trusting in God gives us strength to deal with those disappointments. Is there anything worthy of our trust save God?
Prayer
There are so many ways that we dispense our trust. May we learn to trust God first, and then to know that everything else will fall into it’s proper place. Placing our trust in God frees us from ultimate loyalty to things that disappoint. Trust in God never disappoints. O God, in you I trust. Amen.
Lakewood United Church of Christ 