Help me to trust you

Teacher, do you not care?

It’s easy to identify with these disciples in the boat.   We’ve all been caught in violent squalls, times of suffering or confusion, when we can hardly maintain our equilibrium, let alone steer our ship.   We may believe Jesus’ promise, to be with us always, but we’re not feeling his presence.   It’s as if he’s asleep.   In times like these, it’s tempting to conclude that he doesn’t care after all.

But Jesus wants to assure us that, of course, he cares.   Appearances to the contrary, he is always aware of what’s going on in our lives.   He cares about what is bothering us at any given moment, but sometimes he turns our focus in an unexpected direction.   In scripture… Yes, Jesus calms the storm, but he spends more time addressing his disciples’ faith—just as he does with us.

Of course Jesus hears our petitions.   Of course he cares.   But sometimes his responses are surprising or challenging.   He may answer us in one of three ways.

• Yes, let it be done.   We pray, “Help!” and a traffic accident is averted at the last minute.   We ask for healing, and the pain goes away.   We beg, “Show me what to say,” and Jesus inspires us with words that encourage a friend or help a child step away from an unwise choice.

• Not yet.   Let me stay here with you while we wait for the time to be right.   Whether we long to bear a child, to embark on a new career, or to see a relative delivered from a crippling addiction, God may have to align many factors to produce the result he wants—the best answer.   While we are awaiting that resolution, he is at work, deepening our ability to trust him.

• I have a better plan.   Will you trust me to reveal it to you over time?   At first, this sounds like “No,” but hang in there.   God knows you intimately and loves you.   When he closes a door, he always opens a window, though it may not appear that way at first. Try your best to say, “Your will be done,” but don’t be afraid to keep asking, “What now, Lord?   What step could I take to move closer to you, to cooperate with what you are doing?”

word among us