Lessons Learned on the Journey

Who can you trust anymore? I struggle to find leaders in whom I can place my trust. But I am apparently not alone.

An article in the September issue of the Harvard Business Review entitled "The Decision to Trust" says, "surveys have shown that 80% of Americans don't trust corporate executives and worse - that roughly half of all managers don't trust their own leaders." Distrust in business, the church, the political arena and even the home create troubling environments.

Being worthy of trust is apparently a scarce commodity. So what makes a person trustworthy? The Louisiana State University's Ag Center suggests the following be taught in early childhood settings to help little ones become people worthy of trust:

Telling the truth

Following the rules

Not taking things that don't belong to you

Doing what you say you'll do

Not a bad list for adults of the world to consider!

These children are learning that the object of our trust is critical. Some people can be trusted, some people can not. But there is only One who can be fully trusted. Solomon said "Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding, in all your ways acknowledge Him and He will make your paths straight." (Proverbs 3:5-6 NIV)

So when we just want to throw our hands in the air and say "You just can't trust anyone these days!", let us with great confidence declare. . . there is One in whom we can trust with abandonment!