This is a daily devotion from John Eldridge from His book The Sacred Romance. I had it in my files and happened upon it this morning when looking for another one to share. I will be leaning the devotions toward the Father Heart of God. I think God wanted to remind me that I trust His heart. A friend of mine recently ended our friendship when she was offended by a video I posted on FB. Apparently the friendship wasn't worth the effort to understand my heart and intent and she also misunderstood the heart and intent of the video, so rather than choosing to value the friendship, she threw it away. Betrayal? Yeah. Hurt? Yeah. Do I hate God for it, am I angry with Him? No. I know it wasn't Him who rejected me. So as I go through the grieving process I go deeper in Him so He can heal that cut in my heart. I love my friend and always will. I still consider her a friend and know she responded from a deep soul wound. I don't know what the wound is but I know it's there. I bless her and eagerly await her return. Here is John's devotion.
Everyone has been betrayed by someone, some more profoundly than others. Betrayal is a violation that strikes at the core of our being; to make ourselves vulnerable and entrust our well-being to another, only to be harmed by those on whom our hopes were set, is among the worst pain of human experience.
Sometimes the way God treats us feels like betrayal. We find ourselves in a dangerous world, unable to arrange for the water our thirsty souls so desperately need. Our rope won't take the bucket to the bottom of the well. We know God has the ability to draw water for us, but oftentimes he won't. We feel wronged. After all, doesn't Scripture say that if we have the power to do someone good, we should do it (Prov. 3:27)? So why doesn't God?
As I spoke with a friend about her painful life, how reckless and unpredictable God seems, she turned and with pleading eyes asked the question we are all asking somewhere deep within: "How can I trust a lover who is so wild?" Indeed, how do we not only trust him, but love him in return? There's only one possible answer: You could love him if you knew his heart was good.
(John Eldridge, The Sacred Romance , 70)
Sometimes the way God treats us feels like betrayal. We find ourselves in a dangerous world, unable to arrange for the water our thirsty souls so desperately need. Our rope won't take the bucket to the bottom of the well. We know God has the ability to draw water for us, but oftentimes he won't. We feel wronged. After all, doesn't Scripture say that if we have the power to do someone good, we should do it (Prov. 3:27)? So why doesn't God?
As I spoke with a friend about her painful life, how reckless and unpredictable God seems, she turned and with pleading eyes asked the question we are all asking somewhere deep within: "How can I trust a lover who is so wild?" Indeed, how do we not only trust him, but love him in return? There's only one possible answer: You could love him if you knew his heart was good.
(John Eldridge, The Sacred Romance , 70)
So after reading this, what are your experiences with betrayal and how are you handling it even to this day? Do you still trust God? How has it affected your trust in people? If you don't trust, is it because you don't really know who it is to whom you must direct your trust ? In other words. really knowing a person or God takes effort and time. It takes an intimate relationship. Have you gone there? Will you go there?
We can always trust Him because he looks upon our hearts. He knows our thoughts, intentions, and why we act like we do. Friends don't always understand each other and sometimes break the friendship because they "think" one has behaved in a certain way. Sometimes you cannot even discuss it with them becasue they think they are so right about you!! In reading the bio of Watchman Nee, I like one of his quotes. He said that if someone trusts you you don't have to explain, but if they don't trust you, there is not use in trying to explain!
ReplyDeleteGod will never betray or misunderstand His child. He might not respond to our needs like we think He should because He knows what is best for us. Sometimes I need some of the blocks of "religion" torn down from my spiritual walls. He knows how to remove those even when it comes through 'friends'. He can be trusted in every part of our lives. Oh, Lord help me to trust you more!!