8:00AM: Vanguard Scouting (LDS) Daily Devotions

Wednesday, 07/19: Trustworthy

Scripture

Psalm 22:4-5 – “In You our fathers trusted; They trusted, and You delivered them. To You they cried out and were delivered; In You they trusted and were not disappointed.”

Thought for the Day

King David used the word “trusted” three times in two short verses of his psalm. Trustworthiness, as the very first point of the Scout Law, would seem to be very important. As a trustworthy Scout, you can be depended upon. Other Scouts and Scouters know they can take you at your word and you will deliver what you promise or be able to provide a good reason why you could not. Trustworthiness cannot be turned on and off like a water spigot. To be truly trustworthy means demonstrating this important personal quality in allyour interactions with others, big or small, major or minor, and whoever they may be. Having a reputation of trustworthiness identifies you as a young person of integrity. One popular definition of the word “integrity,” is “doing the right thing when no one is watching,” To a truly trustworthy person this comes as naturally as eating and drinking. Living a trustworthy life sets you apart as a leader. People willingly follow because they are secure in your approach to problem solving.

It is true that nobody is perfect. We all have room for improvement in the way we live the Scout Oath and Law. But being trustworthy should be non-negotiable. It all starts with a genuine commitment on your part to making a trustworthy lifestyle your priority. Ironically, being untrustworthy is much more difficult. A lie may make things easier in the short term but will require constantly building a web of lies to support the ones that preceded them. Being trustworthy does not require keeping track of what you do and say because your words and actions are always based on your honesty. Your time at the Summit can serve as a great proving ground for your sincere effort to make yourself a most trustworthy Scout. Whatever responsibility you have been given or task assigned, strive your hardest to be the Scout who can be depended on to get the job done. Build a solid reputation of trustworthiness to carry home and keep building. Be the Scout who “they trusted and were not disappointed.”

Questions for Discussion

• What does trustworthiness look like to you at the Summit? At school? At home?
• You stop by your tent to grab your sunglasses and see a baggie of pot under your tentmate’s cot. What response would be the most trustworthy?

Prayer

O most trustworthy God, I pray to become more like you. Teach me to be a person of integrity who can be trusted to keep my promises and do and say what is right in all circumstances. A Scout is trustworthy. Amen.