Last weekend after I dropped my daughter off at college, I headed to Minneapolis. I’ve hired a business coach/consultant and it was our first time to meet. Instead of doing zoom, I wanted to engage in person. It’s my first time ever hiring someone in this capacity, so I wanted to make sure we were on the same page.
While I was there I also went for a run, visited a church, had some local cuisine and enjoyed the much cooler weather. Frequently when I travel, I don’t have an extra day to take in the sights. It was enjoyable and dare I say, refreshing. Unfortunately, the AirBnB I was planning on staying at got ant-infested, so I got a cheap hotel.
When I was in St. Louis, I stayed at an AirBnB. It wasn’t the whole house, just a room in someone’s house. She was also there, though I only crossed paths with her once. It’s odd and fun. Hotel rooms have been such a staple in my life this past decade, to crash in an actual home is intriguing. And to do it, while the owner is there is even more wild.
Who wants strangers sleeping in their home?? Uber I get. It’s a ride for 15-60 minutes, then it’s over. But inviting someone into your personal home, having no idea who or how they are, is startling. Of course there are reviews, but I haven’t done it enough to appear as a trustworthy guy on the app.
We Live in a Faith-Based Society!
Mostly the term “faith-based” is applied to religious beliefs. But when we step back and observe how we function, every single one of us is exerting faith on a daily basis.
AirBnB hosts believe in the technology, set guidelines and the decency of humanity. That’s quite a risk, compared to the consequence if it’s misplaced trust. The same is true for the guests. I’m counting on no hidden camera’s, no one sneaking into my room in the middle of the night and none of my stuff being stolen when I’m not there.
It’s a curious exchange, because I don’t actually trust the host. I don’t know the host at all. I trust the system. I assume there must be some vetting process for someone to be allowed to host – but I don’t know what it is or what it entails. I trust strangers who have written reviews of their experience, though I have no idea how their standards compare to mine. Why do I do that?
I want it to be true!
Isn’t that the beauty of faith? We act as if something is true and then it becomes so. What if we applied this kind of faith towards friends, family and colleagues in our life? What if we applied it towards ourselves? What if we decided to believe for something that seems improbable and then act as if it were so?
I was listening or reading something and the person said “There is no such thing as an atheist. Everybody worships something. It might be themselves, money, pleasure, etc. but we all have a god.” It feels like the same is true about faith, whether natural or spiritual. Combining them seems the best option.
Instigating Ideas…
1. Tell someone what you currently are believing will be true.
2. Consider where fear has blocked you from attempting advances.
3. What opportunity is waiting for you to exercise faith?
Faith is Action!
Our actions reveal our beliefs. I like that our society has embraced a truth that the majority of people are trustworthy, with good intentions and trying to make a way as best they can for them and their family. Or that the systems in place thwart most bad characters from participating.
From the little media exposure I get, it focuses on the division, anger and mistrust of each other. Away from politics however, loads of faith towards one another is being utilized creating lots of positive experiences.
I’m fascinated by the idea of having strangers crash in my home. I don’t want to give my energy towards the prep and coordination of it all. But to have mystery guests show up regularly is quite appealing. It just seems fun and ridiculous. If you ever need a place to crash when in OKC, let me know. Maybe I’ll make you some scrambled eggs for breakfast.
I would love to hear how you consciously apply faith to your interactions with others and the systems you function within. Also, if you’ve lost faith, how have you gone about regaining it? Please Share!