One of the characteristics of our present society that I deeply despise is the tendency to make decisions, not based on what is right or even good, but on what limits liability! More than once when I've proposed some project to an organization, the response has not been around the good that potentially could be accomplished. The questions focus on "how does this expose us to liability?" Where once we trusted each other's intent to do the right things and accepted that living involves risks, many among us now see the accidents that happen as evidence of bad intentions and thus, as an opportunity for gain through lawsuits. By way of example, I am told that physicians are often pressured to practice medicine based on avoiding being sued for malpractice. Tests that are marginally valuable are ordered so that there can be no accusation of negligence. Treatments that might work are not used because, if they fail, there is a greater risk of liability. I smile as I report that even the church which I serve as Pastor carries a 'clergy malpractice' policy for me! Imagine being sued for being a bad spiritual leader... well, actually clergy malpractice usually involves clergy sin that leads to very bad things which I must not minimize.
A network of trust frees us to get on with life, to experiment with choices that involve greater risk, but which also maximizes our ability to achieve greater results. In an excellent book, The World is Flat, Thomas L. Friedman, I read this quote from Dov Seidman - "Norms and institutions that create predictability and confidence and trust... propel innovation. Without trust there is no risk-taking, and without risk-taking there is no innovation. . . if you want to get more people to take the necessary risk to innovate, just put more trust in the room. ... Having an abundance of trust is essential in the world of collaboration because the more that people trust each other, the more likely it is that they are going to work well together."
I have been thinking about that for days in terms of the Church. What might we accomplish in the cause of Christ if we trusted each other and encouraged each other to accept gifts of the Spirit, to experiment in the ways that we offer up service, to discover the best ways we can minister in His name, within the context of a loving, supportive Body that steadies and provides solid guidance? I see that trust as extending up and down the line of spiritual authority. As a Pastor I cannot fulfill my calling to teach and lead the people of God if they do not trust me. Of course, I must give those I lead reason to trust by exhibiting a deep love for God, a spiritual maturity, an unselfish heart, and constantly improving professional skills. But I also realize that I must trust those with whom I serve, looking for the best in their efforts, extending them a steadying hand even as I encourage them to take the risk of doing something new for God, thus widening the reach of the Kingdom! Maybe for you this is all just obvious stuff, but for me it is like a revelation!
Trust is not automatic and it is fragile! Most of us do not naturally trust, taught as we are both by experience and lesson, to question and to be skeptical. And all of us know how quickly trust can be broken by actions that are self-centered or words that are accusatory, based on perception and judgment. That is one reason that the command of Christ to love is so very important. Paul quotes Jesus reminding us - “Love your neighbor as yourself.” Love does no wrong to anyone, so love satisfies all of God’s requirements. (Romans 13.10 NLT) When I think how the church would be transformed if all of us really took that command seriously, I am filled with excited anticipation.
Just imagine the possibilities created within a 'high trust' ministry where the first question asked is always - "how can we help that person feel secure in our love so that they can pursue the will and purpose of God fearlessly?"
Then, too, let me close by reminding you that God has secured you and me in His love! He wants to relieve us of fear so that we will not cower before Him, but work diligently for Him for the joy of accomplishing His plans and purposes in this world. He does not desire that we live defensively. Instead He wants us to go into our world boldly, risking failure, even as we serve Him with the gifts He's invested in us. Isn't that what Jesus says at the end of the parable of the talents when confronted with the one talent servant who buried the investment of the Master instead of putting it to good use? That servant came before the Master to give an accounting, but because he was fearful, having completely mis-understood the true nature of the Master, he had done nothing with the investment except to keep it safe. In case you think that was good enough for God, read on! In Matthew 25 (The Message) we read,
The servant said, "I found a good hiding place and secured your money. Here it is, safe and sound down to the last cent.’ “The master was furious. ‘That’s a terrible way to live! It’s criminal to live cautiously like that! If you knew I was after the best, why did you do less than the least? The least you could have done would have been to invest the sum with the bankers, where at least I would have gotten a little interest.
‘Take the thousand and give it to the one who risked the most. And get rid of this “play-it-safe” who won’t go out on a limb."
Friend, God trusts you, loves you, and desires that you love and trust Him in return! That trust should provide a context for service that is joyful, fruitful, and that wins His approval with a "Well done, good and faithful servant."
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TFTD will return on Monday, August 14. Thanks for reading along!It is a joy to come into your life day by day.
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