November 6, 2006

Who Can You Trust

At age 36 I finally made it to the circus.

Many kids dream of going to the Big Top to see the animals, marvel at the acrobats and laugh at the clowns.  But I never went until last summer. 

My wife and I visited her family in Darmstadt, Germany when the circus came to town.  Our nephew and niece—ages 10 and 12—wanted to go.  So we purchased the tickets, bought our popcorn and found good seats in the bleachers.  As people streamed into the massive canvas tent, cheerful music echoed through the loud speakers.  Soon the lights dimmed, the crowd cheered and the show began.

All the elements were there.  Tamed tigers, prancing horses, spitting llamas, miniature ponies, painted clowns, humpbacked camels, soaring acrobats, and jovial jugglers.  But the highlight of the of the show for me was Jumba the two ton elephant.  Now I’ve seen elephants before in zoo’s, on TV, and in picture books.  But I’ve never seen one do what Jumba the German Circus elephant did. 

She entered the ring with her trainer Sasha—a man dressed in a white sequined jumpsuit.  As Jumba lumbered around the edge we marveled at her size and graceful movement.  Then the trainer lay down on the sandy floor in the center of the ring.  Calling the elephant by name Jumba walked slowly to the trainer.  Carefully she stepped over Sasha’s prostrate form.  If just one of the elephants feet had landed on the trainer it could have crushed him.  Soon the enormous creature stood directly over the man.  Her hind legs flanked Sasha’s feet while her front legs stood astride the trainers shoulders. 

At this angle neither elephant nor trainer could see the other’s eyes.  At a verbal command from Sasha the giant elephant began lowering herself straight down on top of the trainer.  The crowed hushed and every eye focused on the slowly shrinking distance between the belly of the elephant and the body of the man.  The audience knew Jumba’s weight would crush every bone in Sasha’s body if the elephant didn’t stop.  Lower and lower the elephant went until…with a loud command from her trainer she stopped.  Jumba’s two ton body touched the trainers chest and remained in that position for what seemed like hours though probably only moments passed.  With another command from Sasha the elephant rose and walked forward without seeing the trainer and without stepping on his still rigid body.

The electrified audience broke into applause as Sasha jumped to his feet, raced to Jumba and pressed his head against her chest.  After the show crowd buzzed in the parking lot.  What would entice the trainer to risk his life under the elephant?  Bravery?  Stupidity?  Showmanship?  In the end only one word made sense: trust.  For Jumba to enter the ring she had to trust Sasha and for the trainer to put his life in danger he had to trust Jumba.  Such a relationship must have been built through many small steps over a long period of time. 

Trust doesn’t come easy.  Not in the circus, not in life.  Perhaps you’ve had issues with trust before.  Someone let you down.  A friend failed you.  A mentor disappointed you.  A spouse deserted you.  When trust is shattered, the pain is acute.  

So who can you trust?  Solomon, known as the wisest man who ever lived could tell you:

“Trust in the Lord with all your heart; do not depend on your own understanding.  Seek his will in all you do and he will direct your paths.” (Proverbs 3:5-6 NLT)

Who can you trust?  King David a shepherd lad turned warrior declares:

“The Lord is my rock and my fortress and my deliverer; my God, my strength, in whom I will trust.” (Psalm 18:2 NKJV)

Who can you trust?  Nahum the ancient poetic prophet proclaims:

“The Lord is good, a refuge in times of trouble.  He cares for those who trust in him.” (Nahum 1:7 NIV)

Trust requires confidence in the integrity, reliability or honesty of another.  Like the relationship between trainer and elephant trust sometimes means moving forward when your vision is limited and you can’t see what’s ahead.  That’s where God proves trustworthy.  He knows the road before you and offers to walk it with you.

Never trusted God before?  You can start small.  Ask him today for guidance, patience or peace.  Then keep your eyes open for signs of his presence.  Remember a relationship of trust develops over time.  Take small steps.  Prove his promises.  Build up trust.  It’s the foundation for a life of faith, hope and love. 

If you’ve trusted God in the past, you can entrust him with your future.  For the One that led you yesterday is still the same today, tomorrow and forever.

“Trust God absolutely, people; lay your lives on the line for him.” Psalm 62:8 MSG

Todd Chobotar
Mission Development
Florida Hospital