Trust is the issue

Titus 2:10  "and not to steal from them, but to show that they can be fully trusted, so that in every way they will make the teaching about God our Savior attractive."


Are you having trouble with trust?  I have trust issues.  I trust too much, or I trust in the wrong ways at the wrong times.  God asks us to trust though. To trust each other. To be trustworthy. To trust Him.  He expects us to act in a manner that shows faith and trust in all we do.

I discovered something the other day, in a conversation with a friend in ministry, that disturbed me deeply. She said she couldn't trust, even her sisters, and she felt she had to hold close what was 'given to her by God'.  I was so sad for her.  What a burden to bear alone.

But I don't think she is alone, nor is she entirely without cause.  Our churches, our missions, our very denominations have a long and checkered, even bloody history, of stealing trust. Of being untrustworthy.  Of taking for their own what belongs to God and the brethren.  (Brothers and sisters that'd be us!)

However...that is not reason enough not to trust.  Jesus advised us to be wise, crafty even, but He never said don't trust.  Instead He told us be trustworthy.  Trust worthy. Worthy of trust. Worthy of being counted on. Worthy of giving a piece, an acre, a bucket or a page of someone's work to take it to somewhere new for the glory of God.


So hard. So very very hard.

 I made this. or did I?  


This is MINE! or is it?

Trust me with your child. Trust me with your fears. Trust me with your need for an intercessor. Trust me with your money.  But can you trust me to use my gifts, that God blessed me with, to make your ministry greater?  I wonder why it is so hard to trust each other, when really, and you gotta admit at least this, WE ARE ON THE SAME TEAM HERE!


Team Jesus. Team God. Team Faith.


Team Grace.


Team wearing jerseys covered in the fruits of the spirit, in the armor of God, in the definition of love from God's own hand.


Can I give you my God filled dream, and trust you to work side-by-side with me to make it like the walls in Nehemiah?  Can I?   Can you?


What is the downside then? If we don't trust?  We don't grow. We don't transform. We don't show God's love in the deep, ugly, still raw and hurting places.  We hand over victory to the devil and tell the world they shouldn't trust us either, after all WE DON'T EVEN TRUST OURSELVES AND EACH OTHER!


Oh how I wish you could see that I am saddened to the soul about this and not angry.  I'm not laying blame, but am asking for ownership.  I believe we all can be given trust and be taught to be trust worthy.  Little steps at a time.  Baby steps like the disciples who had to learn it all with an incredible hidden deadline looming over them.  Jesus was patient and forgiving.  Can we be?


Brothers and sisters, it is not often I challenge you. But I am going to do just that.  We are in Lent, approaching Easter when the biggest gift was given to us.  Here is your challenge:


Trust your brothers and sisters to be a part of the vision you have for sharing God's word. For spreading the Good News! For those cities on hilltops and lamps on stands.  


Trust one another with small things, and move on to great things.  


But start trusting!  


They want to sing - let them sing! 
They want to share - let them share! 
They want to serve you by carrying a burden - let them carry! 
They want to pray - let them pray!


If someone wants to be a part of your work for God, consider that perhaps God is the one who sent them to you...


170 times the Bible talks about trust...can you try one more time?  

Giving Up

The snow fell, finally, wet and heavy. It fell hard for hours.  It covered the lines until they broke under the weight.  No power, knee deep snow.  We had to get cords and generators.  We had to be prepared.  We had to help the workers fix the downed lines.


So often life is like this.  Heavy weight until we buckle under.  It feels like we will break beneath.  


Jesus knew this.  Jesus knows this.


Luke 11:46  Jesus replied, “And you experts in the law, woe to you, because you load people down with burdens they can hardly carry, and you yourselves will not lift one finger to help them."


In Matthew, He reminds us He will carry our burdens.  How?  By us helping each other!   In Galatians we are exhorted to do just this. Carry one another's burdens.   Lighten the load, folks.


(I could have given you those verses, but I really want your Bible in your hands about now, looking them up! So go...look.  I'll be here waiting...)


<-------------------------------------Waiting------------------------------------------>


Are you back?  Did you find Matthew 11:30 and Galatians 6:2?  (and you thought I wouldn't help you out!)


As we enter the season of Lent many people give something up for God.  Last year I gave up my comfort zone.  It was hard. It was rewarding. It changed my life. It literally changed everything.  God moved in my life in ways I never imagined.


This year my offering for Lent is to give up my assumptions.  You know those nasty things that keep us from people, places and ideas because of what we think or assume.  It won't be easy.  It will be hard, but if I let go and let God I'm confident something amazing is going to come.


Like the hydro lines, we aren't meant to carry weight that isn't part of our design.  God made us for Him.  We did not make God for us.  He designed us to carry things, and enables us, through grace, to let other things go.  


When it feels like it is too heavy - give it to God.  He can carry it. He promised to.  When you see a brother or a sister struggling under a weight, help them.  Lessen their load as God lessens ours.  Can we offer them a break from the kids?  A job?  Extra food from our freezer?  Clothes?  Maybe a job reference?  How about an encouraging call or art project? 


What burdens do you see people stumbling under today?  How can you help?  


Drop that assumption that they asked for it, or that they deserved it or that it was earned.  


Drop the assumption that your help is not wanted or needed. 


Drop the assumption that God will send someone - He doesn't have to. 
He already sent you by opening your eyes to their need.


If God shows you something, only the devil would want you to walk away.  Our burdens become less when we share the load.  Pray together. Love one another. Be salt and light.


What are you giving up for Lent?  Care to share?