A word about faithfulness.
Showing up is half the battle in life, so they say. True that - a big part of being faithful is just showing up, again and again … being where you said you would be, staying committed--in all areas of our lives.
Check it out--the same is true in my relationship with God.
When it seems like God is silent, I know that my faithfulness means I will still get up to meet with him, knowing He is there, even if he is silent. Being faithful means I will stay at my post.
Paul was a stellar example of someone who stayed at his post. Look what he wrote to the Corinthians: “Our work as God’s servants gets validated--or not--in the details. People are watching us as we stay at our post, alertly, unswervingly … in hard times, tough times, bad times; when we’re beaten up, jailed, and mobbed; working hard, working late, working without eating; with pure heart, clear head, steady hand; in gentleness, holiness, and honest love; when we’re telling the truth, and when God’s showing his power; when we’re doing our best setting things right; when we’re praised, and when we’re blamed; slandered, and honored; true to our word, though distrusted; ignored by the world, but recognized by God; terrifically alive, though rumored to be dead; beaten within an inch of our lives, but refusing to die; immersed in tears, yet always filled with deep joy; living on handouts, yet enriching many; having nothing, having it all.”1
Paul determined he would be faithful. And. He. Was. His life screams off the pages of scripture to me. “People are watching us as we stay at our post, alertly, unswervingly.” Yes, still watching, Paul. Still talking about you.
And why should we remain faithful? It is the essence of the Christian life, our relationship with Jesus and shows our desire to remain close to the heart of God, to obey him.
How is it possible to remain faithful when life is ripping you up or when those all around you are not? I love this verse: So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.2 "I will strengthen you, 'Lori' and help you, 'Rich' (put in your own name)
I will uphold you with my righteous right hand"!!
In light of our recent conversation about carving time out to spend alone at the start of each day, here's a little truth: sometimes, I do not feel God, but I show up to meet with him anyway. My relationship with him is not based on how I feel. My love for him is based on who he is, what I know to be true of him . . . those are the reasons to continue showing up. I do not always hear his voice or feel his prompting, but I know he is there, I know what is true of him.
[Right now someone is thinking ‘what do you know to be true of him? remind me]
What I know to be true of God:
-he loves me3
-he will never leave me4
-he is for me5
-he is praying for me6
Simple. Powerful. True.
I will keep showing up. Sometimes, a reminder is good.
Great is Thy Faithfulness, Carrie Underwood, Cecie Winans.
Just keep showing up.
Christine
1 - The Message, 2 Corinthians 6.3-10
2 - 1 Thessalonians 5.24
3 - John 3.16 For God so loved the world that he gave his Son….you’re part of the world
4 - Hebrews 13.5 ‘Never will I leave you…’
5 - Romans 8.31
6 - Romans 8.34