"Everyone has a story if you'll stop long enough to listen."
My wife first came up with this phrase, which has become a mantra in our marriage. On countless occasions, one of us has gone silent, not returning calls or text messages. After an extended period, the silent spouse will resurface with a reply, "Sorry for not replying. Everyone has a story." This phrase is our way of sharing that we were present with someone, listening to their story and helping them feel seen and heard.
One of the beautiful dynamics of the body of Christ is that we all have stories. We've been through long seasons in the valley and extended time in the wilderness. We've also had mountaintop moments where God moved in miraculous and awe-inspiring ways. Those stories and the lessons they taught us are why we trust God. Trust is built slowly over time based upon experience and evidence, character, and consistency.
In their new song, Rolling Hills Worship shares their journey with God and how their story has created tremendous trust in God. "Trust You Again" declares faith in God's character and a commitment to bold obedience.
RELATED CONTENT: Rolling Hills Worship Invites Listeners Into a Deeper Faith on ‘Trust You Again’
The chorus opens with what may seem like a strange statement.
"Your ways are higher than my own
Beyond anything I've ever known
Over and over and over, You give
Reason to trust You again and again."
For some, these lyrics seem strange. "Why would you trust someone you don't understand - who doesn't do things that make sense to you?" While some might ask this question, the chorus of "Trust You Again" reflects a quotation from the book of Isaiah, written over 2,500 years ago. The song quotes God's own words to the prophet in chapter 55.
"My thoughts are nothing like your thoughts," says the Lord. "And my ways are far beyond anything you could imagine. For just as the heavens are higher than the earth, so my ways are higher than your ways and my thoughts higher than your thoughts."
If we don't understand something, we either solicit help from our modern-day tools (Alexa, Siri, and ChatGPT) or distrust it immediately. As we've elevated our view of our understanding, we've begun to make God submit to our comprehension rather than submitting ourselves to Him. Isaiah recorded these words from God to help the people navigate a series of events, including the victory of an oppressive conqueror, without losing trust in God's character.
When we're in a season where things are making less and less sense, the temptation is to pull back and trust God less and less. However, the pattern of the people inspired by God to write the Scriptures offers us an alternative to this temptation. They show us how to move towards God with courageous trust instead of pulling away from God when things don't make sense.
For instance, in Psalm 28:7, David writes, "The Lord is my strength and shield. I trust him with all my heart. He helps me, and my heart is filled with joy. I burst out in songs of thanksgiving." In Psalm 9:10, David declares, "The Lord is a shelter for the oppressed, a refuge in times of trouble. Those who know your name trust in you, for you, O Lord, do not abandon those who search for you."
Famously, in the book of Proverbs 3:5-6, the writer rejects the temptation to trust in himself and turns to dependence on God. "Trust in the Lord with all your heart; do not depend on your own understanding. Seek his will in all you do, and he will show you which path to take."
In the caption of their music video for "Trust You Again," Rolling Hills Worship shares the context for its creation - a project at their church in Tennessee. "Trust You Again" was written by our RH Worship team as we were looking ahead to our NEXT Initiative, grateful for what God's done + expectant for what He would continue to do.
Just as we have seen in the last 20 years of Rolling Hills, nothing can come close to what God has done. And now, as we are boldly looking ahead to what comes NEXT, our hope is just what the lyrics pronounce – that we would continue to trust Him again and again.
For centuries, worshipers of the one true God have moved in bold obedience and fierce trust amidst significant obstacles and an intense temptation to trust in self. "Trust You Again" offers an invitation to follow in their footsteps, waiting and watching for God to move in power and provision.
If you are facing a big decision or need to make a courageous move, this song might be the nudge you need.
Scott Savage is a pastor, author, and speaker with the best last name in the world. Scott’s writing helps people transform difficult circumstances into places where they can thrive. He leads Cornerstone Church in Prescott, Arizona, and loves watching movies with his wife and three kids. You can begin Scott’s newest project, The 21 Day Gratitude Challenge, today.
