I am very excited about the new series we begin this weekend. I can’t think of another topic more important for our church family than developing Trust. It is essential in building a healthy congregation and healthy families. Real communication and collaboration is impossible without the two-way conversation that comes with Godly trust.
Last week, it was Fernando Fox’s birthday. He is one of many amazing kids growing up in our church. He is “one-in-a-million,” so much so, that his Sunday school teachers turn into his biggest fans. He has a great sense of humor and an amazing imagination. His parents, David and Rosanna Fox, are doing a wonderful job of raising this masterpiece of a boy. I think you could credit his sensational big brother, Andres, with helping in this project also. As I was praying for him and the other kids growing up in our church, I was moved to tears asking God to help us learn more about trusting in a Biblical way.
As you know, we live in a society which tends toward being cynical and pessimistic – learning to be suspicious and to rush-to-judgement of situations and people. We learn this through a survival response to the deep hurts in our lives. If someone goes through a divorce, they often become really good at breaking off relationships and refusing to allow them back in their life.
A more difficult way of living is the Christ-like way. That is holding no grudges, lovingly asserting our understanding of what is true, and simply loving the whole world like Christ would. Admittedly, this is the much harder way. It means leaves ourselves open to criticism, judge-mentalism, gossip and to enemies who have no interest in our welfare.
I choose to trust God. I choose not to wallow in self-pity or exaggeration. I choose to communicate as best I can. I also choose not to be a door mat, but to speak the truth in love and humility.
This week I am going to start our series, “Trust – Discovering Healthy Faith and Relationships” by showing us the New Testament concept of Trust as the fulfillment of the profound concept of Trust found in the Old Testament. One of my Rabbi friends once had a long discussion with me about the differences and I learned so much. I believe that we cannot understand the New Testament Christ-like Trust without understanding the rich meaning of our Old Testament heritage. If God can allow me to communicate how to trust the Father and the Son, then I believe each of us will be better for the time we have spent exploring this critical concept of Trust. It is going to heal a lot of our wounds and make us a healthier church family. Please join me as we kick off this new series.
Your friend for the rest of my life,
Pastor Tim White