"It's About Trust; It's About Faith, Yeah Yeah" --Sade
Garden Heart found in my garden, created by the flower faeries, just before Valentines’ Day last year.
Given the dire political and global crises that taunt the very nature of our humanity each and every day many of us are questioning what acts of faith or is it trust that will help make the difference in our lives and in the lives of our fellow earth citizens, especially those who are plagued with seemingly endless amounts of suffering. (Somalia and Syria come to mind). As we bear witness to the copious amounts of detestation in the world, for many, it leads us to a deeper self-reflection; a stronger commitment if you will to our own humanity, tolerance, patience, and just plain simple acts of kindness.
No doubt these are tough times for faith and trust. More than I can begin to imagine for those individuals who are the victims of the odious acts of racism, fear, and greed (including our mother earth with all her generosity and celebrated creatures). When I look within and exam my own issues with faith and trust I have come to the distinct realization that I am a person of great faith, but trust . . . . . . not so much.
For me, it feels like faith is more of an action word, whereby, a notable outcome of taking action, the act of faith, often deems a quantifiable result. Trust, to me, connects to an unseen world that, at times I feel has more power than me and over me (but then again I was raised Catholic – lol, hence the lack of trust most likely because of all that fear-based dogma. . . . .). Trusting in outcomes and in people, as we all know, can lead to disappointment/distrust, and so, in one of my daily practices, I aspire to build more trust. And if I am choosing to truly pay attention I see how each day presents a different story; no two circumstances that build trust are alike. Each situation/relationship has its own dedication and life. And then there is the letting go, turning it over, and patience part.
Trust builds upon like (itself), commitment, and often love which wholeheartedly takes time and is undeniably one of the greatest gifts we have to give to each other, might I add especially in these times.
As my journey with trust continues I decided to reach out to my friend, Guillermo Marquez-Sterling. Guillermo is the Associate Pastor at the Pass-A-Grille Community Church and in no way your ordinary pastor. He is the author of Rise of the Spiritual Activist (2012) and Crossing Into the Land of the Saints (2007). His very presence resonates deep calm and attention. His email signature reads: Turning Compassion Into Action. Although I lean more toward reverence than any practiced religion it felt right to ask Guillermo if he would take a moment from his increasingly busy schedule to share with me his distinctions between faith and trust. He commented, “Simple questions often take long answers.” I thank him for sharing his eloquence with this:
Faith and trust are two words that seem synonymous because they are interdependent. Both faith and trust need to be experienced and practiced. Faith points to a person’s identity, for it is essence and God dependent. Whereas, trust points to a person’s behavior, for it is action and people dependent.
Faith, as a noun, is that intangible certainty in unseen things. It is the assurance that as I step into the darkness wearing a blindfold I will find secure footing. Faith, as a verb, is a practice (or discipline) where I allow my decisions to be determined by my religious convictions. Faith is a foundation we stand on. It reminds me of the famous words by Martin Luther, the 16th-century reformer, “Here I stand. I can do no other.”
Generally speaking, Faith cannot be given. It is developed.
Trust is earned, protected and fought for. It is what makes our relationships meaningful. Trust is a bridge we build in order to connect two lives. When there is trust in a marriage (or in any relationship) both parties possess an intuitive sense about each other that is mystical and profound. Trust can be given, but only after it is earned.
As I write this essay our nation is experiencing deep divisions and we can see the beginning of what promises to be dark times. Anxiety and fear are entering the homes of many good families. I cannot trust many of our elected leaders to do the right thing, but I do have faith that ultimately we shall rise above these dark times and our nation will be better for it.
In Guillermo’s eyes faith connects us to the universal energy some call God, some call Shiva, some call Allah, some call Divine Intelligence, some call Source, etc. Trust is what we evoke from each other. For me, it was perhaps the other way around, but what Guillermo made clear is that both are enmeshed in our world no matter where you happen to be living. So whatever we personalize our distinctions to be, shall we keep the faith and continue to connect to the wise essence of our humanity that builds beautiful, long-lasting bridges of trust?
Stay true,
Maggygrace
Let us know your distinctions between trust and faith.
maggy@staytrueblog.com