Where has all the trust gone?

Have you noticed recently a big question that’s hidden in the headlines of so many journals and newspapers around the globe “Where has all the trust gone?”. I was recently stirred and provoked to think about this question when I read a business article published by the Institute of Leadership and Management (ILM), called “The Truth About Trust”. It caught my attention and in an extraordinary way refreshed my thoughts on ones perspective of life in the business world and reminded me of the reality of the world that we live in but even more so what my world would be like without God in the centre - without a God whom I trust with my whole life and whom I believe holds the times and the seasons of life in the palm of His hands.

For months now we have heard it in the news, we have heard about it around the world and are bombarded as we read about it in daily news papers – “Recession”. Businesses going under and banks collapsing, trust is at a premium. Families once secure, now without jobs, homes or food. The increase of poverty more visible on the streets, hikes in fuel prices and electricity bills and people now struggling with longer term debts, depression and even in the mix of all of this there’s climate change, global warming and a pressure on the earths resources. Our daily lives being bombarded by so many pressures and conflicting problems that seem to be out of our control. The mistakes of the past now impacting the reality of the future. The cry of a hurting world – and the cry of many hearts - can anybody fix it?

Business researchers believe it’s never been more vital than now – trust and what is believed to drive the performance of the UK and is believed to be the crucial ingredient needed to survive and make it through the recession. What do you believe?

I believe that my whole future is in God’s hands and I can totally trust in God and His sovereign plan for my life and the world at large. He sees and knows everything and the affairs of this world, our culture and society are under His rule and reign. It’s kind of hard to get your head around this – but its true He does reign and He does rule over everything. I may not escape the reality of what’s happening around me, the pain that life inflicts or the challenges that it brings – but my life is in Gods hands. My future is secure and nothing can separate me from the love of Christ. But how does one establish trust? How do you get even the people in your workplace to trust you? How do you even know that they do trust you? Why is trust so important even when we don’t realise that it is so important? Even for the local church it’s a fundamental building block for our friendships, relationships and for building community.

Trust at the moment in our UK’s leadership, from Whitehall to Canary Wharf, would appear to have taken a battering over recent months. Collapsing banks, rising unemployment, failing firms and the MPs’ expenses scandal have combined to create a deep sense of mistrust throughout society in our leaders, both business and political. In today’s challenging economic times, it’s tempting to view trust as nice but optional. Current economic conditions are creating some of the most challenging times that many leaders will have ever experienced.

Throughout this business article that I’ve been reading I am reminded of the passage in the bible in the book of Romans that speaks about submitting to authorities and it encourages me to hold onto the truth that God is sovereign and in control of the affairs of this world. He sees everything, hears every conversation and knows every need. He is full of perfect wisdom, love and righteousness. Our God knows what the future holds, from the beginning of time He has had it planned out and His will shall be done on this earth and His Kingdom shall reign for all eternity. We can put our trust fully in God – He will never fail or let us down. He has a sovereign plan.

In Roman 13v1 it says “Everyone must submit himself to the governing authorities, for there is no authority except that which God has established. The authorities that exist have been established by God”.

So much of our society, government policies and business practices are shaped by the thoughts and views of mankind and very often if we are truly honest we rely upon the results of research surveys such as these to determine the next big decisions we make about life, policies, financial security and cultural changes that are needed to shape the future and make it even better than it has been before. Don’t get me wrong some of these methods are good and are important – but if it becomes our means for building trust and making our decisions without building relationships and seeking God’s help then we could be missing the bigger picture.

Could you just imagine what would happen to our culture and society, even this nation - if everyone in a key role with the power to influence – stopped and asked God for His opinion – I wonder what he would say right now at this very moment in history – in the midst of recession? This is even a bigger challenge for those of us who believe in Christ and who desire to serve Him and honour Him in the market place. I believe there are many of God’s people today all across this nation serving Him faithfully and have amazing stories to share about how God has been using them and speaking to them in the market place. God speaks today and He has things on His heart that are very relevant for those of us who serve Him in the market place. I really believe that God wants to use us for His Glory in our places of work, whether that be in the boardroom, the shop corner, the local nursery, in the factory, sweeping the streets or in Parliament.

What strikes me as I read this business article is that underneath the surface of all of our lives – for those who do not even believe in God or the bible - actually aspire to live out Godly values and don’t even realise it. In our culture and society many recognise the difference between good and evil. 

You may even be personally experiencing a lack of trust in your Government leaders, politicians or your boss in work. But what I have found very interesting in this business article – that a recent survey has concluded with a belief that our Leaders today in business and politics actually desire to have a future with relationships that are built on trust and where leaders are recognised as role models who are known for their integrity. What inspires me even more is knowing that God’s people serving in the marketplace can bring trust, wisdom, righteousness and truth – we can make a significant difference and help to bring trust because of our openness and honesty and the values that we aspire to bring into these places. We have been called to be salt and light and bring a Godly influence into our culture and society.
So do not be discouraged by all that you face in the market place – be inspired because you are being salt and light even when you don’t realise. God needs people like us in the market place on the cutting edge – prepared to take risks and to take a stand for righteousness and justice.

Comments

Write Your Comment

Name *

Email *

Website

Notify me of follow-up comments?