"Trust"

Now it is required that those who have been given a trust must prove faithful. 
1st Corinthians 4:2 


Last week, across our country, students had planned to walk out of their classes to demonstrate a unified voice in demanding more strict gun control laws and to focus attention on a much needed area in our nation. I was proud of my school for encouraging the students to gather with their classmates and teachers to discuss their concerns, express ideas to change this area of our lives, and to openly discuss the reasons for the horrific events we are seeing in our schools. I believed this was much more beneficial to our students than a “walk-out” where many would not understand the reasons for their actions. As I sat with my group of 23 sophomore students, I felt like they all had something to say but were hesitant to speak up in the crowd. It also did not help that I am new at my school and have not had an opportunity to spend much time with these young people. I began by reading a statement to them that described the events from Parkland, Florida that occurred exactly a month ago. As I read, the thought crossed my mind, that one of the many tragic consequences of events such as this is, with each horrible event, young people begin to trust less. They lose trust in the words of a parent that tells them all will be okay. They lose trust in the words of a teacher who says each student is important. They lose trust in the words of a pastor that describe how they should react in times such as this. And they lose trust in the words of our Lord and Savior who says He has overcome the world.

Young people especially, but we all need someone who we can trust. Hopefully it is a parent, but if not, a trusted teacher, pastor, coach, or friend. We need that person who will jump over any hurdle, regardless of the size, to help us in a time of need. We also need to be that trusted person to someone else. Our young people desperately need more people they can trust. Never in our nation’s history has it been more difficult to be a good young person. They are constantly pulled in a million directions and they are bombarded daily with the many problems of our world. They need more people they can trust. They should feel safe, comfortable, and wanted in their home because they trust their parents to protect, provide for, and want them. They should feel safe in their schools because they trust their teachers to protect them as their own, provide the direction they need, and value them as a person. They each need to be a trusted friend who another student depends on for a kind word, a smile, and acceptance.

Most importantly, I pray they will trust the words of Jesus Christ. His words tell us in Proverbs 3 to “Trust in the Lord with all our heart, and to lean not on our own understanding”. Our world, and the people in it, will continue to fail each other, trusts will be broken, and faith in people will continue to dwindle. However, we can always trust the words and promises of our Heavenly Father. Even in the midst of an uncertain world, we can trust that He is always with us, if we only ask. But, much like a child that does not understand their parents reasons for decisions, we also will not understand our Father’s decisions, will, or timing.

I prayed today that, although I may not understand His will, I will trust Him. I also prayed that the young people I met with will have a friend, teacher, parent, or pastor they can trust. Most of all, I prayed they will trust their hearts and minds to their Heavenly Father and, although they will not always understand, they will trust.

Chad