Trust: There is No Other Way?
Thank you for taking the time out of your busy day to read this article. Before I begin, I just want to introduce myself as the Executive Director’s Associate here with Bridges of Love. Part of my hope is that I can be sharing some posts here on the blog as we move forward in anticipation with, “the power of civil society, moving at the speed of trust.”
One of the key words in that phrase is “trust.” What comes to mind when you think of trust? Perhaps the picture that comes to mind is the negative. You can picture things or people that are either hard to trust or you don’t trust. Coming through the COVID-19 pandemic, we can probably think of recent examples of a lack of trust or perhaps trusting in the wrong things.
We can, therefore, know what it looks like practically when people don’t trust each other. Whether they are leaders in the local church, people of authority, people in your workplace or simply your neighbour across the street. When there is no trust, there is no forward momentum and when there is no forward momentum, there is no progress. We can say the same for the life of the Christ follower.
The Scriptures contain visible pictures of what trusting in God ought to do to us and through us. In the wisdom literature, Proverbs 3:5-6 boldly declares that we ought to, “Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths.” (ESV) In Psalm 56:3-4, we read, “When I am afraid, I put my trust in you. In God, whose word I praise, in God I trust; I shall not be afraid. What can flesh do to me?”
Trusting in the one who is in control brings about freedom and clarity in our life. In fact, it can be said that trusting in God and His Word gives us the joyful responsibility to love him as well as the people around us (Matthew 22:34-40). After all, his commands are not meant to be burdensome to us (1 John 5:3). They are in fact, made to give us freedom in Christ.
Trusting in God implies that we believe we are dependent on him, which is in fact, the truth. All that we have, from the very ability to breathe, to the blessings around us, are because of him. We are not self-made people; we are God made people. We owe all to him.
The leadership of Bridges of Love, have come to the realization that each human being was made for community. Therefore, in times of disaster, the people around you can, and in fact, should be willing to help. This is why CERT (Community Emergency Response Team) is such a valuable idea for your community. If you’ve never heard of it, click on the link and you will find that it is a great opportunity for you and your community.
Part of my responsibility as the Executive Director’s Associate has been to phone various churches in Alberta and discuss the possibility of signing our FEPI form. For the most part, it has been a joy to do this and for nine churches, they expressed interest in partnering with us. I remember one church though, after I gave my appeal, they said that they probably wouldn’t partner with us because they don’t like the idea of their information being given to us. I reassured them that only us and the Associate Lead church who would have access to this data.
On the bright side, that was the only church to say that out of the 150 that I phoned.
So, the question remains, how do we build trust?
I recommend three things.
1. Be kind to one another (Eph 4:32) and acknowledge that each person is made in the image of God (Genesis 1:27).
The way we treat our fellow human beings tells us a lot about the extent to which we may trust them. How do you treat those around us? How do people treat you? Is it easy to trust those around you that don’t treat you well?
2. Develop a relationship with them.
Do you know who lives beside you? Do you know your neighbour? If you do, when was the last time you invited them into your house for a meal or coffee? If you don’t, what’s stopping you? Support them, encourage them, and treat them the way that you would desire to be treated.
3. Be patient.
Unless you have an already built reputation, creating trust takes time. Treat each other well and aim to develop an authentic relationship with them. Waiting is hard and I understand this, but it’s well worth it.
Hopefully those things help you. Thanks again for taking the time to read this!
For more information, check out our website, bridgesoflove.net