Do You Trust in Jesus?

Have you ever stopped to truly consider this question—Do I trust in Jesus? Not just in theory, but in the daily rhythms of your life. I often find that while trust is easy to say, it is much harder to live.

Think with me about the feeding of the five thousand (John 6; Mark 6). It is a story about trust and faith. While the disciples saw nothing but challenges, a child stepped forward to offer what seemed small, insufficient, and insignificant. And yet—that is where the miracle began.

The miracle did not begin with powerful connections or vast wealth. It began with a child, unnamed and unnoticed by most, who simply brought what he had: five loaves and two fish. On their own, his gifts were almost laughably small. But in the hands of Jesus, the ordinary became extraordinary. What was not enough became more than enough.

That little boy trusted Jesus. He could not have imagined how his offering would be used. He couldn’t have orchestrated the outcome. All he did was place what he had in the hands of Jesus, letting go of any attachments, and allowing Jesus do the rest.

This is the heart of stewardship. Not guilt. Not obligation. But trust. Trust that when we bring our prayers, our presence, our gifts, our service, and our witness, God will take them and use them in ways beyond our imagining. Trust that what feels small to us can become abundant in the kingdom of God.

Here at Hilldale, we are reminded again and again that our life together depends on this trust. The ministries we share, the worship that lifts our hearts, the mission that reaches into our community—none of this happens without each of us offering what God has already placed in our hands. Each gift matters. Each act of presence matters. Each prayer matters. Together, they make us who we are.

As we prepare to enter our stewardship season next month, I invite you not to think of this as “supporting the budget,” but as joining in God’s work. Your commitment, whatever its size, is not about sustaining programs—it is about multiplying grace. It is about trusting Jesus to take what we bring and transform it into blessing for others.

So let me ask again: Do you trust in Jesus? Do you trust Him enough to bring what you have? Do you trust Him enough to place it in His hands with open hearts? And do you trust that He is at work among us, making what we offer not only more than we can imagine, but more than enough … so that all will be fed?

Pastor Jefferson