Philosophy #2
I shall believe in others.

One of the most amazing things that I experienced during my DTS was my leader truly, honestly and completely believing in me. It wasn't the sort of thing like, "I believe you'll do great in your next soccer game." It was more along the lines of, "I believe God has a special and specific plan in which only you uniquely can fulfill." Sure, if you decide not to follow God's plan he can raise other people in your place, but you bring something special to the situation that only you can bring. That makes you indispensable in the kingdom of God. INDISPENSIBLE.

Wow, really? Me? Indispensable?

There's something amazing about seeing the incredible potential a person has to influence and affect God's kingdom. Speaking that sort of truth into a persons life actually lifts them up, raises their head from focusing on the muck stuck between their toes, gives them a breath of hope and a new fire to fill the shoes God intended them to fill. You mean I'm actually someone in God's kingdom? I can actually *do* something that others can't because of how God uniquely made me? I can't tell you how many times that revelation swept over me during DTS. It gave me confidence and hope. It made me square my shoulders and look the world in the eye. I got a glimpse of how God sees me and it made me stand tall. God believes in me and I should too. God believes in you and I should too.

Believing in someone is no small thing. It requires seeing potential in people even if you don't personally like them. They may have character flaws, they may drive you crazy, they may be immature, ugly, rude, deceitful and controlling but they have amazing possibility in the kingdom of God.