Trust equity is perhaps the most difficult thing to earn from people. It can take years to build this equity up and it can take mere moments to wipe it all away. Though I’m not living in condemnation, I have been reminded of times when I’ve dropped the ball and failed to follow through. These painful moments are stark reminders of the importance consistently earning trust. They’re also times when it’s so encouraging to have friends that will love you in spite of what you do, not because of what you do.
The kind of friends that will go to the mattresses with you (Godfather reference) are those that will be there with you when you’re wrong – and tell you so without leaving your side. I count these friends – covenant friendships – as invaluable. We all go up and down, we all make mistakes and we all grow from those mistakes. These are the same friends that will also be with you on the highest points of your life to celebrate with you.
Jesus said it best in John chapter 15, verses 12-13:
My command is this: Love each other as I have loved you. Greater love has no one than this, that he lay down his life for his friends.
If you’re one of my friends that I’ve dropped the ball with, or someone I’ve lost trust equity with at some place or time, then I want to tell you that I’m sorry. And I want to ask for your forgiveness.
I don’t want to go through life with someone having anything to hold against me. I desire to have the humility to admit when I’m wrong, the character to do what is right and the relationship to be a friend through thick and thin.
As we all do life together and share in the world of ministry, it’s imperative that we work harder on our relationships than we do on our skills.
I want to repair the breach.
If I’ve done something that needs correction in your life, please let me know.
If you know someone who has wronged you, offer them forgiveness.
I’m thankful for God giving me a holy discontent and gently urging me to rebuilt trust equity and repair the breach. But for the grace of God, go I.
