Trust Me

Back in the Old Days, a hand shake was all that was needed to solidify a contract. In contrast, it takes several pages of legal jargon and scores of sign heres and initial theres for a contract today. Back in the day, people never even considered locking their doors at night. But today, however, it is wise to keep them locked, even in the middle of the day. What has happened to trust? It seems so hard to build trust anymore because of the number of times we get let down. Not only is it hard to trust others anymore, but it is also hard for others to trust us. A promise just isn't what it used to be. How many times have we let others down in the past? I know we are only human, born to make mistakes, but you know as well as I do that once trust is broken, it can be extremely difficult to regain.

How many times would it take of somebody breaking your trust before you simply threw your hands in the air and gave up? How many times of them breaking your heart before you finally decide you were just a fool to trust and believe in them in the first place? I know I have had my share of let-downs. Not only have others betrayed my trust, but I have broken theirs as well. But aren't we lucky that we serve a God who trusts us no matter how many times we sin against Him? If other people did to us only occasionally what we do to Christ daily, we would never trust them again. But our Jesus forgives us no matter what we do or how often we do it, and He even forgives us before we ask Him. What an incredible demonstration of the power of God's Grace! I know that there is a big difference between forgiving somebody and trusting somebody after they have betrayed us. Maybe the forgiving part is easier than the trusting part. But with Christ's help, we can learn to do both. And that's a promise we can "shake" on.

Psalm 103:8 says, "The Lord is merciful and gracious, slow to anger, and plenteous in mercy."

Father, thank you for forgiving and trusting us when we mess up. Please help us to do the same when others betray us. In Jesus name, Amen.

Dodge ball

I saw a group of kids doing something today that I have not seen in years: They were playing dodge ball. It sure brought back some memories of my elementary days in New Jersey. I still remember playing dodge ball almost everyday at P.E. Because of my small frame, I was not a very easy target back in those days. Oh Lord, I just got a funny thought: What if I played dodge ball today? Let's just say I won't be playing dodge ball today. My opponent would be able to peg me from 30 yards like a heat-seeking missile ripping through a slow-moving target. I played all kinds of sports growing up, but today I get winded just watching sports on TV. I can remember my days playing 3rd base. I can still see myself diving all over the place for the ball. But today, if the ball rolls 5 feet on either side of me...it's a home run!

You know, that dodge ball is kind of like trials and tribulations that all of us have to face sometimes. When we were younger, we seemed capable of dodging troubles a lot easier than we do as adults. Maybe the troubles are just bigger today, or we are just not as agile as we once were. If the trials I have suffered through this past year are dodge balls, I have certainly felt like the super-fat kid in the middle trying to avoid getting beamed. It has not been easy, and further, it is still very far from being over. But you know what? If God has brought me to it, He will certainly bring me through it. The Bible says we are to praise God during trials. Honestly, I can't say I have thanked Him for allowing me to be hit by those dodge balls, but I have certainly thanked Him that none of them have knocked me unconscious either. One good thing has come from all of it. With all this "exercise" I have been getting from trying to avoid being slammed by the ball, I have lost tons of weight and have gotten into much better shape spiritually. God is a lot of amazing things to me, including being an incredible trainer!

Isaiah 40:29 says, "The Lord gives strength to the weary and increases power of the weak."

Father, thank you for helping me with all my personal trials. I know I am not alone, and that there are many others out there who are also dealing with trials. We thank you that you will never abandon us, and that you will supply us with the strength we need to endure all things. In Jesus name, Amen.

What Good Am I

Some how my students and I got into a discussion yesterday about how we can Glorify God. I told them that God gives talents to everyone, and we are to use those talents for His glory. There is no greater feeling in the world than to be doing the very thing God called us to do. I know He called me to be a teacher. For me, it is more than a job and even more than a career. For me, teaching is a passion! I am using it to Glorify the Lord. But I got asked a question that I was not sure how to answer. One of my students asked me about her cousin. She is confined to a wheelchair, mentally retarded, can't speak, and can't even do the very basic things you and I take for granted. How can she glorify God in her condition? Wow! What would you answer? I prayed, searched the Bible, prayed some more, and well, here I am still contemplating it. I am still not sure I have a satisfactory answer.

I do know this. The Bible tells us that when Jesus comes back for us, we will all be transformed into brand-new, perfect bodies. No wheelchairs, crutches, canes, or any other human imperfection will exist any longer. So what will we be doing in heaven for eternity with perfect bodies? The Bible tells us that we will be in service to the Lord. Maybe all that we go through here on earth is in preparation for some special service we will perform in heaven. Maybe this is our training ground for what is to come. That concept is not foreign to us. We go to colleges or trade schools to be specially trained for certain jobs. That training is not always easy, and I can tell you getting a degree in Math was very hard at times. But it was all necessary for me to become a teacher, and so maybe all the trials we have to endure here is for the same reason when we get to heaven. I am sure one day it will all become very clear to us. In the meantime, let's just trust the Lord and remember that He does not make mistakes!

2 Samuel 22:31 says, "As for God, His way is perfect; the Word of the Lord is tried: He is a buckler to all them that trust in Him."

Father, we don't understand everything that You do. But help us to keep our trust in You and to always strive to glorify Your name. In Jesus name, Amen.