As I come to terms with leading an organization that spans several geographies, I am reminded how much I need to depend on others. I really do not have any choice. There are too many people for me to be a first line manager to all of them. There is too much distance between the various teams for me to be present on a regular basis. There are too many time zones for me to try to do manage remotely. Physically and logically, it is too much for me to handle alone. I have to trust.
Life is complex. As days past, it seems to be getting more so. I used to think that I should be able to remember how to operate everything. As I consider the number of computers, mobiles, telephones, kitchen and house appliances, I find myself overwhelmed. How am I supposed to handle everything? I must trust others to help.
For me, trust is not something that comes naturally. I want to trust. I hope to trust. I even try to trust. I need proof. I want assurance. I long to have a clear link between trust and results.
I close my eyes and remember those that I have trusted in the past. In certain cases, my trust was rewarded in ways I never imagined! My dreams became larger than my imagination under their stewardship. My hopes became reality with their care.
It has not always worked out that way. At times, my trust has been abused. On occasion, those I trusted turned out to be anything but trustworthy.
I look at how others handled the decision to trust and I find myself amazed. Great ones trusted even when there was little evidence that things were going to work. Paul’s approach reflected theirs. “Now I’m turning you over to God, our marvelous God whose gracious Word can make you into what he wants you to be and give you everything you could possibly need in this community of holy friends.” (Acts 20.32) It did not always work, but they took the risk.
