Who can I trust?

Why are some people easier to trust than others?

I travel by aeroplane a lot these days and each time I board the aircraft I unconsciously choose to trust the pilot. I found myself thinking about this recently and wondering why it seemed relatively easy to trust this person who, for a few hours, would carry a significant responsibility for my life. On every trip, in prayer, I put my life into the hands of Jesus, but clearly I also need to put some trust in particular people.

It occurred to me that I was particularly encouraged when I noticed the uniform that the pilot and crew were wearing. I realised that this was not just that they looked smart but it signified something hugely important for me in my ability to entrust the safety of the flight into their hands. The uniform reminded me that they were men and women operating not just in authority but under the authority of the airline company. I realised that I felt safe to allow them to exercise serious life or death decisions, on my behalf, because I believed that they had been delegated rightful authority and also given the ability to do the job successfully. This reflects something of the godly order that we see described in the Bible.

It seems that the Roman officer, in the verse above, recognized this order in the life of Jesus and was thus able to entrust the well-being of his servant into His hands. The officer knew that those that exercise safe and effective authority and power need to be under right authority. Jesus was not wearing a uniform but the complete submission of His life to the Father was clearly evident in the way He presented Himself, not just promoting His own identity, but always seeking to reflect the One who sent Him. In the Body of Christ those who are truly trustworthy will be the people who are seeking to operate in rightful order and under godly authority, increasingly reflecting the character of the One who is the true Head of this Body, Jesus Christ.

Prayer: Father God, help me to be a trustworthy member of the Body of Christ. I understand that there is nobody perfect on this earth, but please continue to cleanse me so that others may increasingly discern Your authority and character in my life. Amen.