The Choice is Absolutely Yours!

02-17-2019Weekly ReflectionFr. Julius Kundi

One of the most difficult things to do in this present dispensation is to relinquish our control to someone else and depend totally on that person to lead and guide us. This is difficult in our age to do because education and learning have become idols to which people increasingly bow to. We live in a time of exceeding pride in human knowledge and accomplishment. We are also surrounded by a culture where the desires and rights of the individual are considered the greatest good—where I can have whatever I want or be whatever I want, as long as it doesn’t harm others or keep them from their own desires. Many see this as a perfect argument against the existence of God and hence cannot accept to surrender to Him the control of one's life.

With this understanding in our present culture, l feel it is imperative that Christians have constant reminders of what it means to trust only in the Lord God Almighty. First thing to understand is that when we lean on our own understanding, we trust our own knowledge and discernment to support us through life. To an extent, one can say there's nothing wrong with this kind of understanding. But the problem is what Jeremiah 17:9 reveals about the human heart: "the heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately sick; who can understand it?” Therefore our own sinful nature can’t be counted on. Hence, the warning from the Prophet Jeremiah not to trust in mere mortals is timely and should be taken seriously by any true believing Christian. In fact, Jeremiah considers such behavior as foolishness and a curse because to trust in human power, ability or powerful personalities which are unreliable can lead us astray.

Therefore, our primary trust is in the Lord, who guides our lives and not trusting in human resources which is like a withering shrub in the arid desert.The Scriptures teach us all we need to know about waiting and trusting on God and the benefits that come with it.

Jeremiah 17 gives us clarity on this: Blessed is the man who trusts in the Lord, whose trust is the Lord. He is like a tree planted by water, that sends out its roots by the stream, and does not fear when heat comes, for its leaves remain green, and is not anxious in the year of drought, for it does not cease to bear fruit. (7-8).

However, this doesn't suggest that life will no longer have difficulties, but rather if we trust God those difficulties are nothing to fear and that we can remain confident in God in the midst of them. He keeps us vibrant and useful to his will even when we feel languished or that the times are against us. Acknowledging God in everything means that we remember that no circumstances come to us outside of the Father’s will. Knowing this will give us strength even through difficulties, pains, and fears because we know that God will never leave our side.

Jesus Christ, the Word of God says in Matt 6:8 that our Heavenly Father knows what things we have need of even before we ask Him. Isn’t it good to know that we have a God that is omniscient or all-knowing? That’s the first reason why you should trust Him, because He already knows everything about you. Talking of how God is deeply involved and concerned in human affairs 1 Peter 5:7 says cast, which means to throw, your cares, anxieties and worries on Him because He cares about you. Yes, He cares about you! Whatever concerns you concerns Him. So whenever you’re faced with problems, situations and obstacles that seem insurmountable just throw them on Him, He can handle them. Yes, He’s Consistent also! This means He’s faithful and you can also count on Him and trust Him to do exactly what He says He will do every single time, even if others let you down and or found to be unreliable God will never let you down, you can always rely on Him.

Think deeply and prayerfully on the beatitudes and this: A curse on the one who trusts only in human resources – he will be like the dry scrub in the parched areas of the wilderness. But a blessing on the one who places his trust in the Lord. He is like the tree planted near water, which never fades, never ceases to bear fruit. The choice is absolutely yours!

Fr. Julius