The Trust Weapon: Up the Hill Without the Spill

By Drake Hunter | Commentary, Rocky Mountain Voice

“Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding.”
~ Proverbs 3:5 ~

Jack and Jill went up the hill to fetch a pail of water. Jack fell down and broke his crown, and Jill came tumbling after.

We’ve all heard this simple nursery rhyme—it’s such a charming and memorable little song. It’s one of my favorites, especially because I recently shared it with my grandchild. That special moment truly highlighted for me how this lovely rhyme reflects a kind of leadership—a wonderful kind at that—The Art of War, Jesus Style.

In many ways, we’re all on a journey up a hill—whether it’s building a business, serving in a ministry, caring for family, leading a team, or guiding our own lives. This journey embodies the humility and influence that are essential to true leadership. It’s crucial to understand that leadership isn’t merely about titles; it’s about the trust we carry with us. Trust is at the core of influence in all areas of life, especially in God’s kingdom.

However, leadership isn’t just about reaching the summit; it’s about what one carries during the climb. And trust, as we know, is heavy. It must be managed with care, humility, and consistency. The moment trust is mishandled, we can expect a fall to follow.

This is exemplified in our rhyme: Jack didn’t fall because the hill was steep; he fell because something shifted during the climb. Perhaps he rushed. Maybe he relied solely on himself or thought he had everything under control. That’s where leadership truly breaks down—not in weakness, but through misplaced trust.

In the Bible, James reminds us: “God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble.” Pride insists, “I’ve got this,” while trust gently acknowledges, “God, I need You.” This distinction is everything in leadership.

When Jack fell, he didn’t merely stumble—he broke his crown. The crown symbolizes authority, influence, and faith. It serves as a reminder that our influence and trust in God are vital. When our faith falters, leadership can shift from meaningful purpose to mere performance, turning our drive for control into an empty goal.

And let’s not overlook Jill, who “came tumbling after.” This illustrates how one broken trust can impact those around us—our families, friends, teams, and communities. Yet, it’s essential to remember that the influence cultivated through trust doesn’t just vanish after a setback; it can actually grow stronger. Trust is fundamental, regardless of one’s belief system. Even atheism, which represents a belief system in its own right, relies on trust. My hope and prayer is that we might nurture a bit of trust to guide us towards the highest form of reliance—trusting fully at the peak of Jesus’ Mountain, where we meet eternity.

So, what’s the solution when it comes to trust? The answer has proven itself time and again. Jesus presents it simply: become like a child (see Matthew 18:3). Children embody trust naturally—they depend, receive, and respond without guile. Somewhere along the way, we trade that childlike trust for an adult-like need for control and mistakenly call it leadership.

However, in The Art of War – Jesus Style, trust is the ultimate strategy. While the world advocates for taking control, asserting dominance, and striking when threatened, Jesus teaches us to “Trust God, stay humble, and lead with mercy.” We can emulate that childlike trust to lead with humility and compassion, reflecting the mercy of our Father (Luke 6:36).

Mercy is not a sign of weakness; rather, it’s disciplined strength. It exemplifies what leadership should embody when trust in God surpasses our fears. In moments of pressure, insecure leaders may lash out; conversely, those who genuinely trust God can weather the storm without becoming part of it. They can lead gracefully without clinging, and stand firm without hardening. Trust achieves something profound—it steadies our footing on the hill. Even when we falter, mercy becomes our way forward.

Where pride would prompt a defense, mercy offers restoration. Where control might tighten the grip, mercy allows us to release. And where fear might lead us to strike, mercy guides us forward. That’s the weapon we need—not force, volume, or control, but trust.

Now, here’s a crucial question for every believer, every Trailblazer (our term for leaders at RMV), or anyone climbing their hill today: What are you trusting? Like Jack’s journey, the hill will undoubtedly test you. The pressures of life will expose you, and if a fall does happen, it will reveal what you were truly standing on all along. A true believer or Trailblazer doesn’t merely ascend the hill; they carry trust with them. In doing so, unlike Jack and Jill, they lead like Jesus—strong, steady, and merciful, even under fire, with trust as their weapon. When utilized correctly, you can lead without resorting to strikes, following The Art of War—Jesus Style.

As always…God is here. God is able. God is good.

Pastor Drake

I’ll be continuing this conversation later this week on the Just Sayin’ podcast, where we’ll take a deeper look at The Trust Weapon: Up the Hill Without the Spill.

Editor’s note: Opinions expressed in commentary pieces are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of the management of the Rocky Mountain Voice, but even so, we support the constitutional right of the author to express those opinions.