Yesterday, I was having lunch with a
friend when a nineteen year old young lady walked up to our table holding a box
in her arms. At first I was a little taken back. Politely I asked, “What do you have in that box?”
Immediately she opened it to show us a box full of sun catchers. She started to
explain how it was going to benefit some kids. I stopped her and said, “I believe in you. I believe in your cause.
If you wait for five minutes to finish up meeting with my friend, I’ll give you
some money that’s in my car.” She waited patiently and I was able to bless
her with a generous amount for her cause. Then I asked if I could pray for her
and right there on the parking lot we prayed for God to bless her. She was ecstatic!
I’m sharing this with you because
there is a need for us to believe in people. I find too many people are
skeptical. Because of our past experiences, we often build up walls around us. This
is a very small way to live – always doubting people, never having the freedom
to open up. When we live with doubt we sabotage our own future. Not everyone in
the world is out to get you. People who do wrong – change. That’s the power of
the Gospel.
I know people from all walks of life who
are living a sub-par life because they don’t trust people. They’ve had bad
experiences and it has made them to close up like a sow bug. Even when we touch
them with a genuine heart they curl up in a ball. You have your right to live
this way but you are missing out in life!
A more freeing way to live is to believe
in people. My attitude is, “I believe in
you. If I’m mistaken, you have to prove me wrong.” This helps me to live an
open life – unsuspicious of anyone. I’m not naïve but I’m not skeptical either.
As Christians, we must emulate our
Master. I find Jesus believed in people everywhere He went. Even when He knew
Judas was going to betray him, He believed in the man. In fact He gave him a
chance to prove himself by making him the treasurer. Jesus believed in people
and He believes in you.
When we believe in people, we bring
out the best in them. Most people struggle in life because they think nobody
believes in them. Then they stop believing in themselves. One of the best
things we can do for strangers and our loves ones are to let them know that we
have confidence in them. When we show our trust in people they will deliver.
Just before our Lord began His public
ministry, God our Father boomed these words from heaven, “This is my beloved Son in whom I’m well pleased.” Imagine the Son
of God needing to hear these words of affirmation! How much more we need to
hear that someone believes in us. Today I want to challenge you to let down
your guards. Give people another chance. Give them your genuine validation. You’ll
be surprised how people will rise to the level of confidence when you believe in them. When you believe in
people God will believe in you. In case you haven’t heard it lately, “I believe in you!” God also says the
following about you:
“And a voice from heaven said,
"This is my Son, whom I love; with him I am well pleased" (Matthew 3:17 NIV).
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