Can God be trusted? The question posed in the title of this book can be answered with one word, namely, "Yes." There is no attempt by Dr. Williams to arrive at this answer by inductive reasoning, building laboriously chapter by chapter to a climax, until at last we learn the outcome of his query. Instead, we know from the Preface, even before reading the beginning sentence in the first chapter, that Fr. Williams' trust in God and Church is an affirmation that cannot be shaken.
This book grows out of an assumption about its readers. The author assumes that his readers want to believe that God can be trusted. But research reveals that not everyone shares Fr. Williams' assumptions and convictions. Consequently, this book tells the story, many stories actually, about the ups and downs of trusting and distrusting God.
The volume is filled with real-life answers to the question, "Can God be trusted?" Real people, it seems, cannot give a simple "Yes" or "No" in response to this question. Their answers are much more nuanced, often complicated by distressing experiences in their lives. For example, thirty-year-old Chantel answered, "I wish God would explain himself a little better. People tell me he knows what he is doing, but that isn't so clear to me." Twenty-six-year-old Sebastian responded, "I doubt very much that God exists. If he did, the world would be a nicer place. When I look around me, I don't see the hand of a loving God but chaos and confusion." Forty-year-old Jocelyn replied, "In theory I trust in God, but I can't say it comes through to my actions, decisions, or stress management skills."
Fr. Williams confronts his readers' doubts with cheerful good will and persuasive writing. He never rebukes or reprimands his readers for their unbelief. But neither does he leave their doubts unchallenged.
The author assures his readers that God is up to the task of dealing with their doubts. He explains why we have trouble trusting. He tells us what we can and cannot expect from God. He makes plain why trust is so hard for some people and so easy for others.
Not surprisingly, Fr. Williams knows his Bible. Scriptures from the Old Testament and New Testament, but especially from the Psalms, provide reassurances in abundance that refute our uncertainties and encourage our trust. Happily, God's faithfulness does not depend on our own. "If we are faithless, he remains faithful--for he cannot deny himself" (2 Timothy 2:13). Has God abandoned you? Consider this. On the cross, Jesus cried, "My God, my God, why have you abandoned me?" (Mark 15:34). Now erase that thought. Replace it with this. Jesus also said from the cross, "Father, into your hands I entrust my spirit" (Luke 23:46).
This is not a heavy book for seminarians. Neither is it a light book for personal devotions. It is a balanced book for people living in troubled times who want to be reassured that God can be trusted.
As you progress through the pages of this book, you may conclude that you trust God more than you realize. You may also find yourself identifying with one or two of the interviewees whose stories are spotlit in the book. For instance, I know exactly what Natalia, age 22, was thinking when she said, "For me, the hardest thing about trusting in God is letting go." Fifty years ago, when I was Natalia's age, I learned to let go of my ways and let God have his way. I had been a Christian for thirteen years. I accepted Jesus Christ as my personal Savior when I was nine. I was a baptized penitent believer. But my prayer was, "Lord, help my unbelief." The day that God answered that prayer was the day I let go and let Jesus be my Lord and Master as well as my Savior. Since that day, my trust in God has withstood all that time and circumstance could deliver. In my seventy-three years, I have lost my parents, my brother, my wife, and half of my meager wealth. But I have not lost my trust in God, my Creator, Defender, Protector, and Father about whom Fr. Williams writes with so much conviction.
My favorite chapter in this book is the 17th, "Becoming Poor in Spirit." Poverty of spirit is about letting go and abandoning ourselves totally to trust in God.
What's missing from this composition? As a Sunday school teacher, a single reading of this volume will not suffice. It is filled with contemporary stories that illustrate the power of Bible instructions and promises--stories that beg to be repeated and applied. Therefore, I wish the book had two indexes, a topical index and a textual index, to help me quickly relocate various ones of those insightful lessons. I would like to revisit Fr. Williams' illuminating conversations about trust with respect to James, Simon, Jeremy, Martin, Sheila, Greg, Raymond, Anne, Sebastian, Michael, Jocelyn, Caitlin, Michaila, Brian, Jamie, Aaron, Samantha, Alex, Elizabeth, Margaret, Marisol, Natalia, and others, ages 13-67.
Since this is a book of testimonies, let me add one more. If you had asked Becky at age 20 or 40 or 60, "Can God be trusted?" her reply would invariably have been to quote her favorite Bible passage, "Trust in the LORD with all your heart, And lean not on your own understanding; In all your ways acknowledge Him, And He shall direct your paths" (Proverbs 3:5,6). "Trust" and "lean" both suggest the physical and spiritual experience of supporting yourself on someone in total reliance and commitment.
This book is a keeper.
