when Downton Abbey makes you a better person

Today in the One Year Bible, we read from Exodus 4:1-5:21. God is convincing Moses to go and talk to Pharaoh. No small task. And Moses is scared, understandably. So God is gaining Moses's trust so he'll go do it.

And as a reader, we just want to tell Moses, "Do it! Don't be afraid. Trust God!" And that reminded me of something that happened this week when I was watching Downton Abbey.

The Earl who is Lord of Downton Abbey is named Lord Grantham (or at least that's his title). And he has a valet who works for him named Bates. And Bates is one of those characters that you really like and root for. Lord Grantham is also a good guy, in his own old school way. One day Lord Grantham needs to retrieve a note that was stolen from his family, and Bates used to live on the street so he's good at things like forgery and lock picking and pickpocketing. Lord Grantham asks Bates to do something that sounds fishy in order to get the note back. He explains to Bates that it SOUNDS like he's doing something wrong, but he's really not. Bates says simply, "Your word is enough for me, m'Lord."

And that hit me in the chest. God asks us to do things for Him, as well. Love those who need love. Give to those who are hurting. Take care of His sheep. Feed His lambs. And our response to Him should be EXACTLY what Bates said to Lord Grantham. "Your word is enough for me, m'Lord."

We should trust Him completely. We should KNOW He will not steer us wrong. We should wholeheartedly believe that He will take us to what will bring us the most fulfillment in our lives. And we should leave behind the things that He says will hurt us. Because, "Your word is enough for me, m'Lord."

God, please help us to trust You like Bates trusts Lord Grantham.