Trust is not something I find easy. First, there are far too many situations where trust is required. Second, nobody really provides the certainty one would like when it comes to having trust in him or her, it all seems somewhat of a gamble. And third, having to trust means that I either must be dependent or I owe something to them, or even worse, both! Sure there are a few people I trust, but not many.
As I look at the people I do trust there are several things I find in common. I like and do interact with the people I trust in a wide range of circumstances; trust is rarely built on a one-dimensional relationship. People I trust are often very blunt in their remarks to and about me as well as being honest and forthright on virtually every subject that comes up. I find it far easier to accept criticism or correction from someone I trust. I usually know the person I trust for a long time, measured in years not hours or days.
I often wonder how and why I began to trust. What made the difference in the beginning? Why does the trust relationship continue? Are some relationships automatically bound by the fact that one or both parties will never trust the other? Do I trust God, why?
In a lot of new relationships I find myself wanting to trust. I find that there is something that must happen before trust can begin to grow. No matter what else I might do, this step is required. “Before you trust, you have to listen.” (Romans 10.17)
Listening to God, listening to good friends, changes who I am and how I react to life. Listening is the key to every relationship, yet it is often the thing I spend the least about of time doing. I find that as I listen to Carli at fourteen, I trust her. Sometimes I don’t know how to listen but the attempt is part of the trust process.
Do you know that God trusts you too?
