JEREMIAH 17: 9

The heart is deceitful above all things,

and desperately wicked, who can know it?

I remember once when I was a teenager - we were supposed to go watch a movie or something with some friends - my mother saying some words that I just remembered today upon reading this scripture.

I had just turned 13 and I was eager to explore the new world that was rapidly opening up to me. I remember the awkwardness I felt - I wasn't comfortable in my body - leave alone hanging out with any of my friends. Things were happening so fast - my body growing so fast, my moods so unpredictable - no wonder they call this a turbulent time, I started to feel that I needed an anchor in my life. This is how the approval of my friends became so important to me.. If I could fit in and they could accept me I would belong somewhere - I would know how to be - have an identity in other words.

My mum said these words which back then didn't make sense as I tried to get permission to go hang out with my clique " It's not that I do not trust you, I know you're a good girl, but I don't trust your friends, and you shouldn't trust them either. In fact you shouldn't even trust yourself. Don't trust anyone, don't ever trust anyone - not even me - your own mother."

That was it no explanations, no reasons - she wasn't even born again. But you know some wise writer once said .. that the most profound truths are found in jest... and in her own way my mother spoke some of the most important truths this age has yet to understand.. She didn't give me a reason or a solution for the statement she had made but finally I now understand.

If you're a woman, I am sure you have told a friend or been told by a friend - how to decide on the boyfriend - these words sound familiar? "Follow your heart," " Listen to your heart" Well Jeremiah 17:9 would have things different. It describes the heart as deceitful and desperately wicked.

Now let's be honest - who can we trust?  Really?  I could trust a husband, let's see our love would last a lifetime - but if I died I guess he could marry someone else.  What about children - yeah sure here in Kenya we say blood is thicker than water, my own flesh and blood - unconditional love etc,.  Personally I wouldn't want to burden my kids with such a responsibility.. to never fail me.. I would want them to be free rather than leashed to me by the demands I would make on them - don't they have their own destinies after all?  

So who do I trust?  Jesus says these words which give me much comfort...concerning whether I can trust Him or not.

JOHN 10:11-12

I AM THE GOOD SHEPHERD.  THE GOOD SHEPHERD GIVES HIS LIFE FOR THE SHEEP.

BUT A HIRELING, HE WHO IS NOT THE SHEPHERD, ONE WHO OWNS THE SHEEP, SEES THE WOLF COMING AND LEAVES THE SHEEP AND FLEES; AND THE WOLF CATCHES THE SHEEP AND SCATTERS THEM 

VERSE 27 - 30 SAYS:

MY SHEEP HEAR MY VOICE AND I KNOW THEM AND THEY FOLLOW ME

AND I GIVE THEM LIFE ETERNAL LIFE, AND THEY SHALL NEVER PERISH; NEITHER SHALL ANYONE SNATCH THEM OUT OF MY HAND

MY FATHER, WHO HAS GIVEN THEM TO ME, IS GREATER THAN ALL AND NO ONE IS ABLE TO SNATCH THEM OUT OF MY FATHER'S HAND

I AND MY FATHER ARE ONE 

Sometime ago I heard the Shepherd's voice and I decided to trust Him and sure enough He has been faithful to His word.  Often as a sheep a lot of wolves surround me, and at this times I have not started to bleat and and to panic or run around, I have stood still, and trusted and listened for the Shepherd's voice all the time remembering verse 29 that the Father is greater than all and no one can snatch me out of His hand.  I recommend Him to you today.. He has given me security I had never known, He has revealed to me gift I never knew I had.  He has treated me well and kindly and lovingly - He has loved me passionately, when I need to be loved, He has encouraged me when I didn't think I could, He has taught me philosophy when I couldn't even grasp theory, He has made me rich when I was poor, He has healed me when in my own sins I should have died, He has filled me with fear when I was in need of discipline, He has filled me with wisdom when I have come through suffering.  Whoever said these words?  That He is the lover of my soul?  And I promise you .. that He is. He loves you - who is reading this.  Don't take it for granted,  trust my words... this isn't coincidence ..it's been predestined.  Listen to His voice today. Don't harden your heart, I beg you... and I promise you He will not let you down... Me who has always been afraid to promise anybody anything.. the queen of fickleness.. I am telling you and it's true...Listen to His voice.