Simply Trust
"Trust in the Lord with all your heart
and lean not on your own understanding;
in all your ways submit to him,
and he will make your paths straight."
—Proverbs 3:5-6 (NIV)
Trust involves believing in the reliability of someone. We trust people based on What They Say & What They Do & Why They Do. Our trust builds as we observe alignment of these variables and declines when misalignment occurs.
Today people exhibit distrust for our institutions and leadership including government, business, education, church and media. This waning trust reflects values erosion, truth dilution and minimal civil discourse creating continuous conflict, controversy and conspiracy. History reveals past eras replete with mistrust for various reasons with the same root cause: the sin of humanity.
Christmas represents an opportunity to renew trust as we anticipate, celebrate and participate during this special holiday. Our beliefs facilitate how Christmas influences the renewal of trust. Some people view Christmas as a time of Seasonal Trust while others observe Christmas as a time of Sacred Trust.
Seasonal Trust emphasizes secular aspects of Christmas: anticipation of decorations & Santa Claus, celebration with friends & family and participation in the gifting process. The effect of Seasonal Trust often proves shallow as lengthy anticipation turns to weariness, celebration creates calendar conflicts & strained relationships and the giving process results in undue pressure for the giver.
Sacred Trust initiates the true spirit of Christmas: anticipation of Messianic prophecies with angelic appearances to Mary and Joseph about His upcoming virgin birth; celebration by angels, shepherds and wisemen after His birth; and participation in a personal relationship with Jesus Christ by faith in His birth, life, death and resurrection. This Sacred Trust never ends throughout eternity!
Christmas often becomes complicated, risky and stressful as we deal with the competing priorities of Seasonal Trust and Sacred Trust. Today’s scripture (Proverbs 3:5-6) reveals how best to manage these complexities during Christmas and in our lives throughout the year. This process involves Simply Trust.
Simply Trust begins with WHO: Trust in the Lord. Repentance (desiring His change) and submission (accepting His change) enables a personal relationship with Jesus Christ. The HOW involves commitment (all our heart), humility (not own understanding) and affirmation (all ways acknowledge Him). The outcome of straight paths articulates the value of His guidance during our faith journey.
Christmas provides a trust opportunity with God. Trust represents a mutual process. God initiated the trust process on that first Christmas morn. We reciprocate His trust by our faith in Jesus as Lord and Savior. As the world continues to sow seeds of distrust, may God strengthen our trust in Jesus Christ who is the same yesterday, today and forever more. Merry Christmas!
About the Author
William 'Bill' E. Mearse
Chair, Baylor University Board of Regents
Bill serves as a board member, investor and advisor. Currently chair of the Baylor Board of Regents, Bill also participates on boards for Baylor College of Medicine, Banda Health and Memorial Assistance Ministries (Emeritus).
After 33+ years at Accenture, Bill retired as Resources Chief Operating Officer including the oil & gas, chemical, utilities, mining & metals industries ($5+ billion in revenues), and Senior Managing Director of the Houston office providing oversight for local market development, community service and employee engagement involving more than 1,200 employees.
Bill is a native Texan from Abilene who graduated from Baylor University earning BBA and MBA degrees. Bill and his wife, Tanya, attend Second Baptist Church where Bill serves as a deacon and adult Bible study teacher.