Today’s Reading: Romans 8:28

I try to trust in God, but I don’t always do it perfectly. Sometimes, it feels like God isn’t listening, or at least that God isn’t answering. I find myself wondering what it means to trust in God when people are starving around the world. I wonder what it looks like for us to trust in God for the protection promised in scripture when we hear about horrific acts of violence almost daily.

I’m not the first person to struggle with these questions and I won’t be the last. Even in scripture, we see others wrestle with them. I think of the story of Job, a good and righteous man, who loses everything: his wealth, his children, and his health. Job is scorned and his friends blame Job himself, questioning his faithfulness. Job, distraught and in pain, begins to complain and question God. God’s response is striking: “Where were you when I laid the foundation of the earth? Tell me, if you have understanding – who determined its measurements? Surely you know! Who stretched the line upon it?” God reminds Job of who God is… and who Job is in comparison. He reminds Job of his limited perspective.

Like Job, we have a limited perspective, so it is impossible for us to fully comprehend how each piece of the puzzle of life fits together. We may not understand why something is happening, especially when it is painful and hard, but still, we are called to trust. We are called to trust that God is God (and we are not) and that God is good. As Paul writes in the letter to the Romans, “We know that in all things God works for good.” As people of faith, we trust that God is at work for our good, even if we can’t see it or comprehend it. We trust in God’s goodness and love and we proclaim that at the end of the day, Love will win.

“Never be afraid to trust an unknown future to a known God.” – Corrie ten Boom