Trust and surrender in a broken world

Mike Langlois is the Grand Knight of St. Augustine Knights of Columbus Council 7273 in Peru, N.Y. He is also the Upstate Conference Coordinator for Evangelization and Faith Formation for the New York State Knights of Columbus. (Courtesy photo of JASON WYSONG)

As Catholics, the practice of trusting and surrendering to Jesus, in accordance with his teachings and examples, is fundamental to aligning with God’s will. Implementing these principles can be difficult given a broken modern world. Reflecting on the experiences of biblical figures can provide meaningful guidance and insight.

For instance, Moses in the Old Testament struggled with insecurity and disobedience, questioning his ability to lead. He even killed an Egyptian in anger. Through his mistakes, he learned to rely on God rather than on his own strength, ultimately leading the Israelites out of Egypt. Job endured intense physical and emotional suffering, losing both his children and his wealth. Although he struggled with his circumstances and questioned God’s silence, he remained faithful, ultimately choosing to trust in God’s wisdom rather than demanding answers.

David, known for his great faith, also faced severe lapses, such as his adultery with Bathsheba and the murder of Uriah, her husband. He found victory by sincerely repenting, turning back to God and restoring his holy relationship with Him.

The New Testament highlights individuals who, despite their human frailty, demonstrated resilience by remaining steadfast in their faith in the message of Jesus — the Good News. Simon Peter, despite his bold declarations, struggled with fear and famously denied Jesus three times before the crucifixion. However, after being restored by Jesus, he became a courageous leader of the early church, overcoming his impulsive nature through faith. 

Personally, I relate to Thomas, known for doubting Jesus’ Resurrection until he saw the wounds. This struggle to believe without physical evidence is a common human experience. His confession, “My Lord and my God,” marked a triumphant return to faith upon witnessing Jesus. Paul, whose writings profoundly shaped the New Testament, was once a violent persecutor of the early church, representing complete opposition to God. However, after encountering Jesus on the road to Damascus, he underwent a dramatic transformation, redirecting his zeal toward spreading the Gospel and becoming one of the most influential Christians in history.

Theologians and scholars can debate which figures from the Old and New Testaments are historical or symbolic. Regardless, the key message is that individuals encountering challenges may find hope and redemption by consistently seeking God. Today, we are facing the same challenges since our world is as fractured as it was when Jesus came to rescue humanity from its own failings. 

In his work, “On the Incarnation of the Word,” Saint Athanasius offered an explanation why Jesus came into the world when he did. “The human race was in the process of destruction. Man, who was created in God’s image and in his possession of reason reflected the very Word Himself, was disappearing, and the work of God was being undone. The law of death, which followed the transgression, prevailed upon us, and from it, there was no escape.” How does this statement differ from our current reality? 

We live in a world where humans are isolated from one another, fostering division and separation, which aligns with Satan’s ultimate goal as the accuser and divider. Take a moment to observe your surroundings. Do you see Christians who radiate a deep sense of inner peace, remaining calm even in the midst of chaos? These individuals understand that Jesus’ message over 2,000 years ago remains relevant to our modern lives. As it is written in John 3:16, “For God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.” They know that living the Christian life involves embracing it every moment, day after day, for the rest of their lives. 

This means participating in the Holy Sacraments as often as possible to nourish and renew the spirit. It means regularly taking in God’s word through the weekly Mass readings and supplementing them with personal study whenever possible. It involves cultivating self-discipline and practicing self-denial, supported by a consistent and meaningful prayer life. By doing so, we are better prepared to face each day’s challenges, knowing that the Holy Trinity, the Holy Family, the saints and countless angels are supporting us along the way. Once we undergo personal transformation, we share this experience with others because, as Catholics, we believe every person has inherent dignity as a child of God, created in His image.

God does not demand perfection from us; instead, He desires that we remain willing to turn back to Him. Even when trust and surrender prove difficult, His grace compensates for our shortcomings. By persevering, we may inspire others to seek the source of our strength and work toward a better world. Ultimately, it starts with shifting our focus away from distractions and placing our trust and surrender in Jesus, the one who can truly help.

Mike Langlois is the Grand Knight of St. Augustine Knights of Columbus Council 7273 in Peru, N.Y. Local Knights of Columbus councils interested in fortifying the faith of their memberships, or offering column topic ideas, can contact him at [email protected].