Trust - Friend or Foe?
In 1988 Lou Holtz was a third year football coach at the University of Notre Dame. His team was 11-0 and ranked #1 going into the last game of the season against #2 ranked Southern Cal. If they win this game they go to play in the national championship game against West Virginia. Lou had several team rules and one was that a player was never to be late to any team event (practice, game, dinner, etc). The day before kickoff the two starting running backs were late for a team dinner. Lou suspended them both from the game and sent them home on the next plane. If this were you would it build your trust in the coach?
What I realize is that sometimes leaders have to make hard decisions. What I also realize is that many times the right decision is the hardest or takes more faith. But what do these hard decisions do to the trust level of the leader? I get a sense that in our nation today that there is a big lack of trust problem, even when correct yet hard decisions are made. Why do you think there are anti-trust issues in our nation today?
The book of Romans 15:13 in the Bible states:
13 May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit. (NIV)
The Notre Dame players respected and trusted Lou Holtz in his decision and they went on to beat USC and ultimately win the national championship. Trust is something that is built over time, but I feel in our nation it takes way too long. Are we scared to let others in, what are we afraid of? Paul states in the passage above that trusting in God will bring JOY and PEACE so we can overflow with HOPE. Doesn’t that sound great? You and I will trust others if we feel that they think we have worth. I believe that God sees me and all his creation as worthy and highly valued. Because I am highly valued by God that makes me want to trust Him more. Because I trust Him more I feel more peaceful and joyful in my life. Do you feel that this is too simple of an equation? What is your equation?
- Written by Todd Baughman
February 12th, 2007 at 3:37 pm
I think this equation is very simple. I think the difficulty comes when you have to trust in someone other than the Lord. For me, it is easier to trust the Lord because I know He loves me and has my best interest at heart. I know that the Lord will take care of me in any and all situations in my life. I also know that all things will work together for my good. I find peace and comfort in knowing that I can put my trust completely in the Lord.
My problem comes when I’m asked to trust other people. The following questions come to mind?
1. Does this person really love/care about me?
2. Does this person have my best interest at hand?
3. Will this person betray my trust.
4. Does this person have an alterior motive.
So those are my fears when it comes to trusting others. I’m so glad that I don’t have to worry about those questions with the Lord.
February 12th, 2007 at 9:53 pm
I think there are lack of trust issues in our nation today because our government has failed to act with honesty and integrity. I don’t believe this is a new development in American politics - I suspect it has been going on for more than 100 years. However, with modern media and widespread instantaneous access to stories, we are far better informed of the missteps, lies, and dishonest behavior that fills DC. Our government made over 2000 treaties with the American Indians and broke almost every single one. Our politicians steal during elections, cheat on their wives, accept bribes from lobbyists and special interest groups, authorize despicable half-truth filled political advertisements, and then wonder why we doubt their moral authority.
I am not saying that all politicians are wicked and untrustworthy. However, the actions of many have seriously hurt the trust-worthiness of all. In today’s climate, a leader must earn trust before he can start making hard but correct decisions and expect support. Bush did not exactly have that luxury - he was forced into extremely difficult decisions very soon after a horribly divisive election. Only history will tell if he made hard yet correct decisions or hard and incorrect decisions. Sometimes, a leader must make a decision s/he believes is correct and be willing to lose the trust of the public for the greater good of that public. That is true sacrificial Christ-like leadership.
February 13th, 2007 at 11:07 am
First, I think trust and faith are integrated, you cannot have one without the other.
I would argue that the lack of trust in society is not predicated on the means by which we act, but the results of those actions. Lou Holtz was loved by his players and the fans in 1988 because they won the championship, so his actions were not analyzed. Had ND lost to USC however, you can bet that many fans and boosters would have questioned his decision to suspend the players.
Sometimes I wonder if we trust in Christ because we came after him, and we know the results of his actions. We know Christ was perfect, we know we can completely trust him because we know the story of his life. However, put yourself in Peter’s shoes…a carpenter tells you to get out of a boat and walk on water in the middle of a lake. You don’t know (for sure) his story and you don’t know how it’s going to unfold…you have no Bible to guide your beliefs. What are you going to do? I know what I would do, and I can tell you that Peter had a lot more trust than I do.
February 16th, 2007 at 10:29 am
I think that’s a great point, about faith and trust being related. Trust only exists in relationship, and faith is based in part on what we know has been done in the past.
One thing I see here that is interesting: Peter knew Jesus a little - he knew Jesus as a miraculous prophet, not as a Resurrected Lord. Yet he was willing to walk on water. We know Jesus much more - as Resurrected Lord. And I don’t think we trust Jesus nearly as much. Jesus calls us to walk on water a lot, and I know I delay and wait around and don’t do it. If we really matched our faith and trust in Jesus to our knowledge of Jesus, I think we would pretty much be unstoppable.