TRUST

It sounds like such a simple word, yet without it life is reckless and full of fear. With it we can foster peace and hope and life and growth. It is something we spend years to develop, and yet, too often take for granted. Assuming it is present can be even more damaging or dangerous than its absence.

Though I know this to be true, in my foolishness and oblivion at times, I forget. And then the shocking reality crashes around me . . . people don't really know me. No matter how good my intentions, how committed I may be, how sincere I really am, if people do not know me, they will not trust me.

We can embark on quests to make the world better, to touch someone's life in a positive way, to share love and peace and hope. Yet, without trust, the efforts are futile . . . trust in human goodness, trust in a Sovereign God, and trust in love that transcends human comprehension. I once heard trust compared to credit in the bank. The more credit you have in the bank, the more you can accomplish. I wonder how much of life we spend building trust and how much of life we can spend actually using that trust to make a difference.