You might date someone for their fame, fortune or fun… but you marry someone for their faithfulness.
And yet, faithfulness is underrated.
We all… at least those of us who love the game… want to watch football players play the game, but most of us are not interested in watching them practice… or sit in team meetings… or work out… or do the physical therapy necessary because of the trauma to their bodies… or eat… or buy groceries… or just go through the routine of life. And after their glory days in the game, most of their names are forgotten unless they go on to be a TV broadcast analyst. It’s because society as a whole does not place a high value on faithfulness.
We want quick… We want big… We want flashy. But what about faithfulnesss?
Today, I choose to applaud faithfulness because Scripture points out that “…your faithful service is an offering to God.” Faithful service… imagine that. Doesn’t sound big, or fancy or intriguing. Sounds normal, plain, boring. But God says every day you punch that clock and do a solid day’s work is like putting money in the collection plate or texting to give. Every time you make the kids a meal… or mow the grass again… or pray for that person you heard is sick… or clear the table for that waitress… if you have the right attitude and spirit about it, you are giving God an offering to God.
So today, I celebrate the teacher who has been faithfully teaching for twenty years, and still has ten to go till they can retire. Today, I celebrate the couples who have stayed faithfully committed to their spouses in marriage for ten years, and still have a lifetime of serving each other in love to go. Today, I celebrate the pastor of that small, rural (or urban) church who others overlook because they have not experienced exponential growth, but who has visited the hospitals, performed the funerals, preached every week, encouraged the lonely, taken food to the homebound and more. Today, I celebrate the nurse who dispenses the medicines, gives the sponge baths, empties the bedpans, checks the vitals and assists the doctors with no fanfare, and plans to keep on doing it as long as they can.
Faithfulness matters. I know because my life verse tells me that… if I do exactly what I’m talking about here… one day I will meet the Lord face-to-face, and He will celebrate me as a “good and faithful servant.” We all know I’m not good on my own. The “good” part is the goodness He gives me. The “faithful” part is the one thing I can do with that goodness. That’s what I can control that He will celebrate.
So, be faithful. You are making a difference. And celebrate those who are faithful, too. They matter.
Author’s Note: In keeping with the heart of this post, I am excited because WordPress reminded me that I’ve now been writing this blog faithfully for one year now. Thanks for making the journey with me! Let’s keep going!
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Congratulations on reaching your 1 year milestone! I am so proud of the progress you’ve made in this new venture and so blessed by your encouraging expressions of God’s Word. Keep up the good work!
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