The words caught me off guard.
I pondered them and wondered if he was right. Deep in my core, I didn’t want him to be. I didn’t want to go through life questioning the intentions of every person I met. I didn’t want to always wonder if those close to me had ulterior motives.
But the sad thing was, I did.
“You shouldn’t trust anyone. Just trust in the Lord.”
I’d told him my trust was broken and I didn’t feel safe with anyone. I’d been violated in ways that were difficult for me to talk about. Pain I’d buried for too long was bubbling to the surface.
I didn’t expect him to confirm my doubts. I didn’t expect to be told to roam through life an orphan, never believing in anyone or having faith in a love which goes beyond our own selfish motives. But that’s exactly what he did.
For years I went through life continually looking beneath the surface, searching for a selfish reason behind the generous gesture or a lie behind the smile.
One day when I was pregnant with my first son I sat in church and realized I didn’t know a single soul there. I knew something had to change.
There is no place lonelier than the heart which trusts no one. And the sad truth about this lack of trust is that we will remain stuck in our walk with Christ unless we learn to see others the way he does.
We can focus on the work Christ is doing in others rather than the work we think they need.
We can focus on the log in our eye rather than the speck in theirs.
I’m not saying to be a doormat. And I’m not saying we don’t need boundaries. But God never intended us to walk through life alone, trusting no one but ourselves and him. He created us for community and unity with his body-the church.
He made us for more than a life of isolation with walls so high we can’t remember where the foundation lies. Love goes beyond those walls and reaches out to the lost, the weary and the weak.
We love because that’s what we were created to do.
It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.
1 Corinthians 13:7
Even when we have the breath knocked out of us, we continue to hope. Because the source of our hope goes beyond this lifetime into the eternal.
We trust our brothers and sisters not because they will never disappoint, but because of the work being done in them. We continue to reach out because our hope is not in human nature, but in the finished work of Christ. Our flesh may fail, but the Spirit of truth has sealed us for the day He returns.
Friends, our redemption was bought with too high a price for us to roam this earth as orphans. Let’s look beyond the walls we’ve built and be the hands and feet of Jesus today.
Let’s remember his work isn’t finished, and we can be a part of it.
Linking up here: #ChasingCommunity
This is an important truth, Abby. It’s easier to stay guarded, to not let people in because of our past experiences. Sometimes we stay stuck in that place for years, but then we look back and see how our apprehension to develop community has kept us isolated. (Been there, done that!) It is a risk, but I love how your words encourage us to see past the potential hurt and focus on the work God is doing. Beautiful perspective:)
Oh yes, Kristine. I stayed stuck there for years. Of course, I’m also an introvert by nature but it was more than that. I’m so grateful God used our move away from the place I grew up to bring me out of my shell. It was worth it. Thank you for your sweet encouragement!
Abby, I’ve been there myself, thinking everyone had multiple motives. As humans we can’t help ourselves but by the grace of God. Always love your words.
Amen, Christy. I need Jesus, every moment of every day. Thank you for your kind words, friend. xoxo
Beautiful. I’ve had the breath knocked out of me a couple of times this past year, so this is such good encouragement. I’m thankful for the community I have, both in “real life” and online! 🙂 People like you, friend. <3
Oh Betsy, I have been there and am praying for you this morning. You are so dear to me. Sending hugs.
I didn’t always trust people, like everyone else I’ve been burned. But I decided I had to trust Jesus, He can guide you the right people and help you avoid the wrong ones.
“…because of the work being done in them.” Such graceful insight. I see God in you, Abby. Thank you sharing truth, even in the hard. ((xoxo))
So good Abby! I love your honesty and how you learned what God intended for you after you had been hurt. It is so easy to allow cynicism and negativity to creep in and really, overcome. I saw myself changing after some serious hurts in life and I finally realized, that is not what God wants for me. We can almost self-medicate by focusing on the wrongs of others and the sin in their life while we ignore the true focus God has for us- our own sin and His work in our lives. What freedom to be able to heal, allowing Christ to help us be willing to trust others again. Otherwise we live angry, isolated lives. You speak of what so many can relate with. Thanks for sharing!
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