Trust God

“Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not rely on your own insight. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths.” Proverbs 3: 5-6

My grandmother taught me these verses. I can remember sitting on her lap in her rocking chair – her arms would be extended around me. She would read to me from the Bible. By her words and by her example she provided my first instruction in what it means to trust God.

The instruction my grandmother provided reminds me of the story Henri Nouwen shares about The Flying Rodleighs, German trapeze artists he greatly admired – so much so that he befriended them, attended practice, even traveled with them. (Our Greatest Gift p.66)

“What’s it like?” He asked the leader Rodleigh.

The flyer said, “I must have complete trust in my catcher. The public might think I’m the star – but the real star is Joe, my catcher.”

“How does that work”, Nouwen asked.

“The secret”, Rodleigh said, “is that the flyer does nothing and the catcher does everything.”
You do nothing?”

Rodleigh responded, “The worst thing the flyer can do is try to catch the catcher … the flyer must trust, that with outstretched arms, that the catcher will be there for him.”

Nouwen reflects: “the words of Jesus flashed through my mind. ‘Father, into your hands I commend my spirit.”
In both living and dying we trust the catcher. Don’t be afraid. Remember that you are the beloved child of God. God will be there when you make your long jump. Don’t try to grab the catcher; the catcher will grab you. Trust, Trust, Trust, Trust!

Let us Pray. Come and embrace me Lord. Hold me secure; Hold me strong; Hold me forever in Your everlasting arms. Amen