It’s Not Easy to Trust

There are no words… There need not be words as scenes of human fear unfolded at the airport in Kabul. We can see them even now: hundreds running with the military transport airplane; scarved women desperately holding the hands of their daughters and sons; the peacefully sleeping child on the shoulder of his desperate father; the body bags on the street while hundreds shoved past to show documents to the US military; the infant being lifted up over the barrier wall…

Does not this lament of Psalm 13 (NIV) speak of such harsh realities: 

O Lord, how long will you forget me? Forever?
How long will you look the other way?
² How long must I struggle with anguish in my soul,
with sorrow in my heart every day?
How long will my enemy have the upper hand?

⁴ Don’t let my enemies gloat, saying, “We have defeated them!”
Don’t let them rejoice at my downfall.

Then came other scenes: lines of people preparing to board these planes to take them to saving lands where terror could be replaced by welcome; actual smiles and tears of hope on faces of those packed together in these transports; safe arrivals and interviews in places where the next generation may be born.

⁵ But I trust in your unfailing love.
I will rejoice because you have rescued me.
⁶ I will sing to the Lord
because he is good to me.

Between the opening and closing verses of this psalm is a vast emotional chasm. Is it not “easy” faith to go from depths of almost despair to such trust and hope.  It is a long and arduous journey.

I personally have never endured such trauma.  My faith has not been this deeply tried by Life. Yet the ability to continue on each day gives witness to me of a human resiliency that must come from the Grace of God within. I pray that such strength will be given to each of our sisters and brothers and that I will not forget them. I pray that I may welcome them.