The Sacred Trust
Trust is sacred and I would say in today’s world, it is rare. When there is trust in a relationship there is peace. Trust makes no room for jealousy, suspicions or fear. It is based on a commitment to faithfulness and the valuing that commitment above one’s own interests and comfort. The marriage relationship is a sacred trust. It begins with a vow the couple makes which expresses their intent to be faithful to one another for the rest of their lives. This vow establishes a covenant that is witnessed by family and friends, and officiated by a civil authority. The ring the couple wears gives notice to all around that they are in this exclusive relationship and not available to any other intimacies.
Unfortunately, over half of those who enter into such a covenant, end up being unfaithful to their vows, thus breaking the sacred trust they had established. The same is true for elected officials. When they take office, they make a vow before the electorate to serve their country with honesty, dedication and sacrifice. They are to place the interests of the people above their own and to be upright in their personal as well as public lives. Violation of this “sacred trust” can end in impeachment. CNN reported recently that public trust in leadership is at an all-time low. Elected officials have not kept their vows and have proven to lack the integrity, both personal and public, that they had promised to keep.
Trust is like a bridge between two people. When it is strong, much truth and love can be carried across it. When the bridge has been broken, it takes some time to repair it. By just saying: “Trust me”, does not repair a broken promise. Confidence must be regained by having honesty and transparency demonstrated over a period of time. Because trust is an issue of the heart, healing must take place for this bridge to be built once again.
King Solomon writes in the Proverbs of a virtuous woman, whose husband trusts in her, (c.31, v.11). She was active in business, the home and in her community, yet her husband trusted her. He trusted her with the finances, with the raising of the children and with her friendships outside of the home. He could go on a trip and be at peace that all would be well. How is that possible when living in a world of covenant breakers? I believe you can only trust someone completely whose heart is devoted to God.
My wife is such a virtuous woman. I have never felt jealousy, suspicion or fear of betrayal in our relationship. The reason is that I know her heart is completely given over to the Lord. She would rather pray and read the Bible that do anything else. She is very selective of what she watches on TV, only listens to praise music and often retreats to her room to pray. She is bold in her witness and makes it a point to pray for all those she meets. I know what she is thinking, because she keeps no secrets. Her conversations are more often than not about spiritual things and she loves to be on the receiving end in ministry. She holds as sacred the vows we made to one another and we are continually growing in our love. It is easy to trust someone who is completely devoted to God.
Scriptures to meditate on:
Prov. 31.11; Eph. 5.22-33; Gen. 2.18-25