T.R.U.S.T.

Let's talk about trust for a minute, Servant Leader.

Trust must be earned. Respect can be given. Faith can be faked. But trust must be earned.

We respect people for what we know or what we've been told. From an early age we're told to respect our elders. As elders, we have learned and give respect to others (read: everyone) for very different reasons. When someone loses our respect, it is usually because they have wronged us or acted wrongly and forfeited the privilege of our respect. We dole out respect like accolades when it meets our purposes. We withhold respect for similar reasons. Giving respect is a choice.

We have faith in various things - the Government to protect us and keep order, the doctor to care for us and keep us healthy, our employer to pay us an honorable wage for work rendered, and God. Faith, unlike respect, relies on our own needs and not on those around us. And faith can be faked. We fake faith in our Government when we ashamed of its actions. We fake faith in our physician and then get a second or third (or fourth) opinion when we aren't hearing what we want. Having faith is also a choice.

Trust, unlike respect and faith, must be earned. Trusting, unlike respect and faith, is not a choice, but a reaction. We trust our Government when it protects us and keeps order. We trust our doctor because she heals our wounds and helps keep us healthy. And we trust our God because He has never failed us.

"So do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them. But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own." (Matt 6:31-34, NIV)

Servant leadership requires trust. To be a successful servant leader, we must not only earn the trust of our supervisors, but those they have placed under our charge. Without that trust, we cannot lead. Without their trust, we cannot even serve.

"Jesus said to them, 'A prophet is not without honor except in his own town, among his relatives and in his own home.' He could not do any miracles there, except lay his hands on a few sick people and heal them. He was amazed at their lack of faith." (Mark 6:4-6, NIV)

Jesus, the Son of God in the flesh, walked the Earth, yet He could not serve those in His hometown because they failed to trust Him. But trust works both ways. Not only must we earn others' trust, but we must trust others ourselves. We must trust our employees, that God has given us the right men and women to do the work we've been called to manage or lead. We must trust our supervisors, that God has placed us under the charge, mentorship, and tutelage of those who care enough to care for us. And we must trust our God, that He has us on His glidepath to where He defines our success.

That raises a difficult topic, Servant Leader. As servant leaders, we must trust that God's is forever working His plan to our benefit. Sure, we trust God when flowers bloom, work is plentiful, and everyone is cooperating. It is when times are tough that we learn where our loyalties truly lie. In tough times - trust God. When the future is uncertain - trust God. When you must make a decision that could impact those who trust in you - trust God.

Matthew (6) says we are to trust in God and not worry about tomorrow, that He knows our needs and will meet them, no matter what. If we believe the Bible - everything in the Bible - then we believe that God is working everything together for our good, Servant Leader. (Rom 8:28) We trust that God is meeting our needs even if He isn't always giving us what we want.

Trust - God has earned it. So, freely give it.

(Photo: approachableleadership.com)