Illustrator Message

Collusion Ahead!

Who can we truly trust in life? In my younger days I believed I could always rely on my family. They had always been there for me to give me comfort when I was ridiculed at school because of my coke-bottled glasses and the fact that I spoke French at home instead of Dutch.

I learned early on that friends could turn on me in a second, due to peer pressure. It's no wonder that over time I developed a fear of rejection. But when my friends failed me, my family was always there, through thick and thin.

Until I moved to North America, that is. Then over time, I stopped hearing from them as well. Except for my parents, of course. And even when I visited home, my family did not receive me like they would have before. I had become a stranger even to them.

I was able to make some close friends in the new country, and for that I was grateful. But eventually they moved away as well, never to be heard from again, even when I tried to contact them. I noticed that it is truly hard to have people who we can trust. Eventually many, if not all of them, become indifferent towards us.

When I read my Bible, I notice that this problem is also evident throughout its pages. Take for example Jesus' immediate family: "When his family heard about this, they went to take charge of him, for they said, 'He is out of his mind.'" (Mark 3:21, NIV2) That sure must have hurt! Jesus' very own family could not understand His mission on earth!

King David can also vouch that friends can betray us in a wink: "Even my close friend, someone I trusted, one who shared my bread, has turned against me." (Psalms 41:9, NIV2)

Even brothers and sisters in Christ are really not that reliable. Job experienced that firsthand. He had lost everything, family, possessions and even his health. Instead of encouragement from the people he worshipped with, they criticized him, for surely he had done evil to merit such trials: "But my brothers are as undependable as intermittent streams, as the streams that overflow when darkened by thawing ice and swollen with melting snow, but that stop flowing in the dry season, and in the heat vanish from their channels." (Job 6:15-17, NIV2)

Governments, too, are not always reliable. Huge promises are made, but are they always kept? "For the one in authority is God's servant for your good. But if you do wrong, be afraid, for rulers do not bear the sword for no reason." (Romans 13:4a, NIV2)

Many go to doctors for help, which is a good thing, but are they always all that reliable? "And a woman was there who had been subject to bleeding for twelve years. She had suffered a great deal under the care of many doctors and had spent all she had, yet instead of getting better she grew worse." (Mark 5:25-26, NIV2)

Can you identify with any of these examples?

Portland Head in Maine had an active, manned battery named Blair in the early years of World War II. They were there to protect the coast of Maine. On April 23, 1945 however, the U.S.S Eagle-56 was torpedoed by U-boat U-853. Forty-nine officers succumbed under this attack. Why didn't the battery not come to their aid? Simply put, it was no longer in use!

Nearby that tragedy a large sign painted on one of the rocks can still be seen, indicating that the ship Annie C. Maguire shipwrecked on that very place on Christmas Eve, 1886, even though an active lighthouse stood just a stone's throw away.

Neither the battery nor the lighthouse had been able to keep those they were meant to protect safe!

I have discovered that there is only One who can always be trusted. He is the One who stated: "Do not let your hearts be troubled. You believe in God; believe also in me." (John 14:1, NIV2)

Why should we trust Jesus?

Who else do we know who would be willing to die for any of us? He certainly did just that, and because He faced unheard anguish and tribulations, He will come through for us, for He is the only One who can fully identify with what we are going through. "Because he himself suffered when he was tempted, he is able to help those who are being tempted." (Hebrews 2:18, NIV2)

I can vouch that He can deliver. He is the only One who fills me with inner peace and rest, even amidst harsh adversities! "Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest." (Matthew 11:28, NIV2)

Only one light shines brightly for all to see, assuring us that we are not alone. He stands by us! "The true light that gives light to everyone was coming into the world. He was in the world, and though the world was made through him, the world did not recognize him." (John 1:9-10, NIV2)

Unlike lighthouses, batteries and human relationships, Jesus can be trusted! Get to know Him. You will fall head-over-heels in love with Him.

Here is a question that each of you must ask for yourselves: Who do you completely trust? Who accepts you unconditionally with no strings attached?

Try Jesus. He sure made a difference in my life. No longer do I have fear of rejection, for Jesus made me aware that I am fully accepted by Him!

And you are too!

Rob Chaffart

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