Matthew, Chapter 18, gives me comfort. Sometimes the complexity of what our world, country, organizations, communities, and families are experiencing is overwhelming. As I reflect on the passage here are some of my thoughts.

I believe it is important to be accountable to our community (church, work, neighborhood), to be transparent, authentic, genuine; to care and be responsible to each other. I value constructive conflict as important and necessary. I believe this creates strength and resilience and the ability to achieve a greater good.  Perhaps there is another word that is more descriptive …..Trust.

Trust in myself, trust in my family, colleagues, friends. Trust my community, my church, my work and my neighbors.  When I trust  and acknowledge that God is present within these groups and communities then I trust that issues will work out. If I don’t understand, I trust that someone does. If I don’t see the good I trust my family, friends and colleagues have positive intent. I trust that a greater plan is at work and that it is not as visible to me.  I trust. But perhaps another word is more descriptive …..Faith.

I have faith in my family, church, work and neighborhood. I have faith that God is present within these groups and communities. I have faith that issues will work out. I recognize that having faith gives me comfort and that I don’t have to understand the “why” always. I have faith that there is a greater plan and I don’t have to be in control because having trust and faith allows me to hand over my need for control to God.

The message from Matthew today for me is, Trust in God’s word; have Faith in God’s word, and Believe in the power of community because “Where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them.”  Trust, have Faith and Believe it will all work out.