“I trust in God,” I used to say without much thought. Or, “At least I have my faith.” But what do those things mean? Do I really mean it? What do they mean to you? Have you ever thought about faith? What is the difference between faith and trust?
I’m doing the spiritual exercises in everyday life (19th annotation) and my readings seemed to be highlighting the words faith and trust a lot. In fact, the phrase ‘justified by faith’ seemed to repeat itself often.
These things have been on my mind and then I was at a Marian conference in Nashville and a priest from Syracuse New York came to my table. He bought several of my books to sell in his parish noting the growing problem of addiction in his area.
Father kept telling me how those who suffered from addiction (and I would say those of us who love them too) need confession. He understood how unburdening themselves would be life changing for them. To him, the sacrament of reconciliation was key to recovery.
“But Father, in order to be vulnerable enough to go to confession, you have to really understand and own how loved you are. You have to have faith first.” I said. As the words slipped out of my mouth, I realized how the week’s readings were teaching me.
The steps are steps in a process. You must start with knowing that you alone can’t fix your situation. Then you get to work in knowing (trusting) God. Knowing how he works (loves) is key to everything else. If you can feel the love of God, everything else is justified (made right).
I’m working with a sponsee and we were on step 2. As we made a first pass, she told me that she believed in God. It is usually a familiar comment. It is a comment that I made myself as I skipped over step 2 for a year and a half. I’d always believed in God. I could put a check mark beside step 2.
Except, I didn’t trust him. Not really. I didn’t have faith that I was loved so much that everything would be provided. I didn’t have faith that I was made just exactly as he had in mind. I didn’t trust that God’s will was something that would be better for me, no matter what… It’s all been taken care of because we are so loved. Are you willing to receive that love?
Friends, if you want to be made right (justified), you must get to know how loved you are. It starts small. Look for God in all things. Start a gratitude list. These small steps begin the process of connecting you to love.
Father Greg’s story explains this better than I ever could. Are you tethered to a love that saves and makes right? I’m not asking if you believe in God. I’m asking if you know him. Did you know that he delights in your company? Did you know that he’s generous and really has a sense of humor?
If you don’t, I recommend that you make a little time for him alone. Then do it again the next day. Grow in relationship. It will change your life. And that will change the lives of those who are around you.