I had two takeaways from the recent Global Leadership Summit that led me to a deeper dive into trust and connection:
1. According to Edelman’s Trust Barometer 50% of people report they will not trust someone or something without evidence. Our default emotion is distrust.
2. We are designing a culture that produces loneliness. Our answer is a culture of connection.
After the final day of the Summit, I went out for a late afternoon walk. I live in the county so my walks normally consist of birds, butterflies, deer and occasionally the dreaded raccoon, possum or groundhog; However on this particular walk, I ran into a rooster.
As I was walking, i began to reflect on the Apostle Peter’s encounter with a rooster. Before long, I found myself practically jogging to get home. I wanted to read the biblical account of Peter and the rooster.
I returned home, settled into my recliner and opened my Bible to Matthew chapter 26.
Before I could get to the verse about the rooster crowing, I read two verses that caught my undivided attention:
“The gang that had seized Jesus led him before Caiaphas the Chief Priest, where the religion scholars and leaders had assembled. Peter followed at a safe distance until they got to the Chief Priest’s courtyard. Then he slipped in and mingled with the servants, watching to see how things would turn out.”
Matthew 26:57-58 MSG
The phrases “Peter followed at a safe distance“ and “watching to see how things would turn out“ bubbled up questions in my own heart about trust and connection.
Lord, am I fully committed to what you have called me to?
Am I wholeheartedly connected to the community/team you have joined me with?
Do I follow at a safe distance, waiting to see how things will turn out or am I ALL in?
As you meditate on the verses this week, journal your thoughts and questions.
What are you hearing?