The Rock eternal

Isaiah 26 : 1- 6

Trust in the Lord forever, for the Lord is the Rock eternal

I am in Singapore for a few days. It is certainly easy to get around as the public transport is good. However, I find myself spending much of my time 'underground', whether catching a train or else walking via the underground connections (they are actually underground malls) between buildings. Am not used to this. Somehow, it seems like such an artificial world, that I long to get up to street level again and breathe 'fresh air'. Perhaps I don't trust enough that the underground network will not collapse!

Trusting in the Lord is something that we can never earn any degrees for. It is not something that we can 'commit' ourselves to master in a given time frame. It grows organically as does our faith.

But I guess there are pointers about how we can grow in trust upon our Lord. As the prophet says, the Lord will keep in perfect peace those who have a 'steadfast mind'. This phrase brings to mind the concepts of stability, of consistency and direction. A steadfast mind does not give in to all sorts of influences, but only the guidance that comes from the Lord. This is not easy in this age when we are bombarded by so many choices. One of the Benedictine vows is that of 'stability' - a monk who has taken this vow does not, for example, for the very least of reasons ask for a change of community. "Stability says that where I am is where God is for me. When the monastic makes a vow of stability it is a vow designed to still the wandering heart. Stability enables me to outlast the dark, cold places of life until the thaw comes and I can see new life in this uninhabitable place again" (Joan Chittister, OSB). A 'steadfast mind' to me means that I ask for the Lord's grace to look at all things through his perspective, not my own. Indeed, such an attitude heartens our souls and will foster hope and joy even in the midst of the anxious times in which we live. For me, at this midlife stage, many choices seem to beckon, while I acknowledge the fact that I will never be able to pursue some of them. I do need to be cautious not to make decisions sparked by my own inner restlessness. The Lord's peace will dwell deeply in those with steadfast mind, in those who trust in him.

At the end of time, the Lord's justice will prevail. The lofty are humbled while the 'poor in spirit' are raised up. Such is the Lord's economy; truly the antithesis of the kingdoms of this world.

Our God the eternal Rock will stand and raise with him those who have trusted, who have been steadfast, despite the trials and oppression they may suffer in the waiting.