“Jesus, I trust in You” …well…sort of.

Christianity at its core, is based upon trust, trust in Jesus Christ, in His love for us, in His promise of salvation, in His forgiveness, in His “unfathomable Divine Mercy”, and in the knowledge that He is with us “always, until the end of the age”. (Matthew 28:20). So vital is this principle that the Psalmist implores us in Psalm 37:3,5 to “Trust in the LORD and do good…Commit your way to the LORD; trust in him and he will act”.

But how many of us truly “trust in the Lord”? How many of us despite our regular attendance at Mass, reading of Scripture, participation in Eucharistic Adoration, and daily devotions such as the Rosary, Divine Mercy Chaplet, or any number of Litanies are really nothing more than shallow water swimmers whose “trust in the Lord” is really confined to the four walls of the Church, or the four walls of our family and friends, the four walls of our prayer group or the four walls of our comfort zone? 

Yes, how many of us, despite our protestations to the contrary, remain firmly secured to the dock, clinging to the four walls of our boat with white knuckle grips all the while celebrating and declaring our absolute “trust” in Jesus? How many of us in that truest part of who we are, despite all of our devotions, participation in Adoration, or faith formation classes resemble more the “rich man” who asked Jesus what must I do to inherit eternal life? (Mark 10:17). When confronted with Jesus’ answer, the rich man confidently replies - “Teacher, all of these I have observed from my youth.” Christ then reminds him that “You are lacking in one thing. Go, sell what you have, and give to [the] poor…then come, follow me.” At that statement his face fell, and he went away sad, for he had many possessions. (Mark 10:20-22). Despite living a “good” life, observing the commandments with staunch religious devotions, the rich man learns that it is not enough, he must leave the comfort of his surroundings and belongings, and follow Christ.

Following Christ means taking risks, it means letting go of the side rails of our “boat”, it means going out beyond the four walls of the Church, our family and friends, or our prayer group and meeting people where they are, as opposed to where we are most comfortable. It means swimming into the deep water without the flotation device, knowing fully in our hearts that the only life preserver we need is genuine TRUST in Jesus, not a trust that is contingent upon where we are most comfortable, but rather a trust that leads us to where we are most uncomfortable. Sadly, all too many of us who proclaim our “Trust” in Jesus, merely trust in Him…sort of. Let us all give pause the next time we say “Jesus, I trust in You” to prayerfully and truthfully consider, just how deep is that TRUST.