What?! Trust in God? Consider, gentle reader, that there is a vast repository of wisdom literature – literature that spans thousands of years – that remind us with great clarity: the security of this world is a delusion, an illusion. The security that God offers is a promise. Do we trust God’s promise? Do we trust God?
Poverty, danger, and death do not appear to be the light of hope – innocents are killed, the poor die in squalid surroundings, the helpless are used and abused. All of these and more challenge our ability – if not desire – to trust in God’s promise.
Life, at its best, is a paradox – light and darkness, good and evil, virtue and vice; all exist together. Trust in God’s promise means that we will commit our efforts into making sure that our world is safer for those who cannot protect themselves. This requires risking ‘self-less love.’
If I am ‘secure’ in the God who empowers, whose promises are ‘true,’ then I am able to embrace the insecurity that is life.
Our culture, it seems to me, does not trust in God’s promise. The messages from our culture are clear: if we are sexy enough (thanks to cosmetics, work-out-regimens, and certain alcoholic beverages) then the beautiful will love us. If we plan carefully enough we will attain financial security. If we follow our doctor’s advice (or the advice of the T.V. doctor) we will live a long and happy life. These are some of the ‘common sense’ ideas that compete directly with God’s promise.
As I have noted in a number of my blog postings, I seek to find the truth and wisdom in all of the faith, humanistic and philosophical traditions that I explore. Jesus continues to be a powerful guide and challenges me to the extreme. Consider some of his words: ‘For those who want to save their life will lose it, and those who lose their life for my sake will find it.’ ‘Let not your heart be troubled…’ ‘…and if anyone wants to sue you and take your coat, give your cloak as well.’ ‘Blessed are the peacemakers.’
What if I took the risk and actually believed the great wisdom teachers: ‘You are safe! You are safe in God’s promise!’
Consider this paradox: Security is rooted in fear which is rooted in scarcity. The wisdom traditions advocate abundance – if we share there will always be enough (more than enough, actually). Perhaps our security is rooted in a simple risk: To share what we have with those who do not have. Do we ‘believers’ truly believe in God’s promise?
Do I, you, we believe that it is crucial to leap before we look! Am I, are you, are we ready to embrace the reality of insecurity and shed the illusion-cloak of security?
Searcher-Seeker 
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