Yourself would be my initial response to this word. That’s because of the Bob Dylan song on his Empire Burlesque album.

“Trust yourself

Trust yourself to do the things that only you know best

Trust yourself

Trust yourself to do what’s right and not be second-guessed

Don’t trust me to show you beauty

When beauty may only turn to rust

If you need somebody you can trust, trust yourself…

I loved Dylan’s live version of this song performed at Willie’s first Farm Aid in 1985. Willie, Tom Petty and others sat in with Bob and, if I remember correctly, his set closed the day’s proceedings.

I have been asked to preach two times since bowing out of Christian ministry back in January of 1988. Both times it was a Unitarian Universalist church that extended the invitation. The churches were located, respectively, in Auburn, AL and Macon, GA. On both occasions my text for the sermons were, you guessed it, Dylan’s ‘Trust Yourself’.

“Trust yourself

Trust yourself to know the way that will prove true in the end

Trust yourself

Trust yourself to find the path where there is no if and when

Don’t trust me to show you the truth

When the truth may only be ashes and dust

If you want somebody you can trust, trust yourself

Well, you’re on your own, you always were

In a land of wolves and thieves

Don’t put your hope in ungodly man

Or be a slave to what somebody else believes

Trust yourself

And you won’t be disappointed when vain people let you down

Trust yourself

And look not for answers where no answers can be found

Don’t trust me to show you love

When my love may be only lust

If you want somebody you can trust, trust yourself”

Amen