Trusting God, Not People
This post was originally written several years ago and has been lightly edited for clarity and relevance. It reflects my thoughts and experiences from that season of life.
I am learning to let go of my preconceived ideas about humanity and relationships. I believe this is a lesson I will be learning for the rest of my life. I believe in a big, powerful, almighty, merciful God, so why do I place my faith in people? Why do I put my trust in human beings?
One conclusion: I simply forget.
I forget that people make mistakes.
I forget that people are broken.
I forget that people long to be loved.
I forget that people aren’t perfect.
I forget that people will let me down.
I forget that people are learning life alongside me.
I forget that people struggle to forgive.
I forget that people are people.
There was only one human to ever walk this earth whole and perfect, Jesus. I wrestle with the reality that His friends, disciples, and followers knew He came directly from heaven, yet they still doubted. I wasn’t there, so who’s to say I wouldn’t have done the same? Perfection stood right in front of them, and still they struggled to trust.
They. Were. Human.
We all fail. Jesus didn’t.
He came to walk among broken, fallen, messy people. I think of the moment in Scripture when Jesus went to the garden to pray. Knowing His time on earth was drawing to a close, He asked His three closest friends to keep watch and pray. He stepped away to be alone with His Father and returned to find them asleep.
He asked again.
He stepped away again.
And once again, He returned to find them sleeping.
“Once more He went away and prayed the same thing. When He came back, He again found them sleeping, because their eyes were heavy. They did not know what to say to Him.”
—Mark 14:39–40
Can you feel the awkward silence? Like a child caught with their hand in the cookie jar. Jesus gave them another chance because forgiveness comes naturally to Him. He went away to pray a third time and returned to the same scene.
Three times, they failed Him.
I imagine Jesus felt the sting of disappointment and still chose love. He carried on loving those knuckleheads. Jesus never forgets that we are human.
He continues to love us, even in our darkest moments. I can’t say that about a single person in my life. Yes, my husband, children, and family love me deeply, but their love cannot compare to the love of my heavenly Father.
Learning this truth at my core allows me to release my dependence on people. It frees me to love others with a Christlike affection. My heart whispers, “Forgive them. You have been forgiven.” And, “Love them. You are loved.”
How can we grow in loving those around us better? Is there someone in your world who feels like your “heavenly sandpaper”— that person who drives you crazy but keeps showing up anyway? How might God be inviting you to love them better today?
