Vol. 16 No. 50 | December 16, 2013
Rumors have circulated for weeks about a well-known college football coach at a prominent university as to whether or not he would be fired. As the season ends he announces his retirement. It was his decision.
Running hand in hand with that story was the story of another well-known college football coach at a prominent university who was interested in the previous coach”s position and would leave his school for the position held by the other coach. As the season ends he signs a multi-year, multi-million dollar contract and is staying put. He said he had never considered the other position.
A coach at a smaller, lesser-known university signs a contract to coach the team. After one successful season he breaks his contract, and signs a contract with a bigger school for considerably more money.
Athletes go on record as saying they play for the love of the game and that the fans are what it’s all about. Then, when a more lucrative offer from another team is offered they are gone.
A woman stands with a man and pledges that she will love her husband for better or worse, for richer or poorer, for as long as they both shall live. The marriage takes some unexpected turns and is no longer what either of them had anticipated. They agree to file for a divorce because they cannot imagine God wanting them to be so unhappy.
A father tells his daughter that he will love her and protect her, and that he will never let anyone hurt her. He does not. He abuses her.
A man runs for office promising to lead the nation as a man of the people and for the people. As important and critical bills pass before him he consistently votes for what seems to profit himself and a few wealthy supporters.
A news media company advertises that “We are the network you can trust.” Week after week they report on stories that turn out to be half-truths, partial-truths and total fabrications.
A ministry leader stands before his parishioners every week preaching a message of godliness, honesty, purity, selflessness, and dedication to helping the poor, the broken, and the lonely. A story breaks revealing a secret life of greed, immorality, and extravagant living.
These kinds of stories are all too common. Is it any wonder that so many of us are skeptical, cynical and often apathetic. Who can you trust? Is there anyone who remembers what it means to be loyal, dependable, people of their word?
There is One.
The prophets said He would come. He came.
The gospel writer said He came to dwell among us. He did.
He said He came that we might have “abundant life.” (John 10:10). He did. We can.
He said He would teach us how to love, how to serve, and how to live even when He was gone. He did (John 13-17). We can.
He said He would die and rise again in three days. He did.
He said He would never leave us. He has not.
He said He will come again and take us to be with Him forever.
Who can you trust? Although examples of the untrustworthy are plentiful, not everyone is lying. Although you will have many who will make promises and not keep those promise, some will keep them. Although there are many reasons to become skeptical, cynical, and apathetic, don’t.
Who can you trust? You can trust Jesus.
Trust Him. He keeps His promises. He can do what He says He will do.
Tom
© Copyright 2013 Tom Norvell. All rights reserved.