Faithfulness

"Be faithful in small things because it is in them that your strength lies." Mother Teresa

I saw this rusty spring on an old plow we own and thought of how the seemingly endless spiral exemplifies the faithfulness of God. Yet, because this spring does end I think it is more of an example of man's faithfulness to God.

"Faith is taking the first step even when you don't see the staircase." Martin Luther King, Jr.

  "Know therefore that the Lord thy God, he is God, the faithful God, which keepeth covenant and mercy with them that love him and keep his commandments to a thousand generations;" Deuteronomy 7:9

"The grass withereth, the flower fadeth: but the word of our God shall stand for ever." Isaiah 40: 8

What does it mean to be faithful? The first thing I think of when someone asks me that question is fidelity. 

Loyalty and devotion in a marriage, faithfulness, is primarily thought of in terms of sexual fidelity. But it is about so much more than that. What about friendship? What does it mean to be a faithful friend? How about a faithful employee or faithful co-worker? What about being a faithful church member? What does it mean to be faithful?

Today, our Sunday School lesson covered some of the attributes of God. One is His infinite faithfulness to us. I thought of how many times I've failed the Lord in my walk with Him. How many times have I let Him down? How many times have I been unfaithful to Him - yet He has always been faithful to me. Faithful to forgive. Faithful to redeem. Faithful to love me and give me assurance that He cares for me.

Then I thought about the many times that I have been hurt by someone who was not faithful to me in one way or another....how deep the pain of betrayal cuts - the anger felt - the embarrassment and shame... Then I thought of the people I have been unfaithful to in one way or another....and I'm reminded that we are all flawed vessels in need of the love of Christ. And without Him, faithfulness in all of it's forms, is lost. 

"Lord, thank you for your unfailing faithfulness to me. Thank you for your Word and the message you had for me today. Please help me to be faithful, to focus on you and remain steadfast....to lay down my fears, my sorrows, my painful memories and trust in your unfailing love. Thank you for your forgiveness and your mercy towards me. Help me to be a better person......more like you."