Trust – a risk worth all

I’ve heard it taught that trust is something earned.  I wonder if taking that approach actually causes us to miss out on some incredible opportunities.  Do we risk more by not trusting people than we do when we risk trusting them?

Sure, when trust is violated it hurts.  Sometimes the pain is excruciating.  But we are only a victim if we choose to be.  Pain is a fleeting response if we can simply teach ourselves to pick up and move on.

I’ve wasted so much time keeping a mental record of what hoops people have jumped through in order to gain my trust.  I’ve burned people out and frustrated them to the point that they turn away.  It makes me sad to think about that.  It humbles me to realize how incredibly shallow and insecure that approach is.  And it challenges me as I realize how much more I need to learn to trust God to enable me to simply pick up and move on.

I’m thankful that God trusts me.  Even when I fail, fall, flounder and flop.  He still trusts me.  Why?  Because He created me in His own image and called me worthy.  Wow!

He sent His Son, Jesus, into this world for me, for you, for the ones who violate our trust, and took the risk Himself to trust.

So maybe the act of trust isn’t something to be  earned .  Maybe it’s a gift.  No strings, no hoops – just a simple opportunity filled with faith, hope, and love.

~ by Jen Chappell on December 23, 2008.