Faithfulness

I've been thinking about the word "faithful" a lot lately. Faithful... steady in allegiance or affection. Loyal. Constant. True to one's word. Strict or thorough in the performance of duty. Reliable. Trusted (thank you, dictionary.com).

I've been thinking about the faithfulness of the Lord, and I've been thinking about the call we have as believers to be faithful.

This time of year has made me pretty nostalgic. Sappy graduation photos pop up all over social media and I can't help but think about how much has changed in the few short years since I was at that point. I think in the Christian life, there is a good kind of looking back... The kind where you look back and see how faithful the Lord has been. And a lot of events over the last month or two have stirred up that kind of looking back. I look back at journal entries from a few years ago, I remember the things I so badly wanted, the plans I made for myself with certainty that they would happen. I look back and am filled with thankfulness - that the Lord knows me better than I know myself, that He knows my needs, that He withholds no good thing from His children.

I hold so tightly to my own plans sometimes. I think I know what is best for me, what will grow me, what will make me happy. I love to look back and see how the Lord guided me through many difficult decisions. At times the Lord withheld from me what I so badly wanted, and looking back I see just the tiniest glimpse of how good He was in doing so. I don't have a lot of life to look back on quite yet, but I am thankful for these few years as a believer that the Lord has so clearly demonstrated His faithfulness.

"God has been faithful, He will be again. His loving compassion, it knows no end." - Sara Groves

"Your steadfast love, O Lord, extends to the heavens, your faithfulness to the clouds." - Psalm 36:5

And while we're on the subject, I'm reminded also about our call to faithfulness as believers. As we remember how faithful the Lord has been, it should motivate us all the more to be faithful each and every day. To be faithful in the little moments that require steadfastness, grace, and faith. I'm seeing how important it is to dwell on what is true. It doesn't really matter what is going on around me, if I am skipping out on my time in the Word and prayer, I won't respond well. I won't dwell on what is true. I'm encouraged in realizing that we aren't instantly zapped into perfect children of God at our moment of salvation. If He has started a good work in our hearts, He will carry it to completion. But probably not right this moment, or the next, or the one after that. That work will not be complete until we leave this world.
When I look at the lives of older people I admire, I wonder how they get to where they are, and I have been reminded lately of one thing... It's about being faithful. We grow in the nitty gritty of daily life. He disciplines us because He loves us. He allows life to happen because He wants us to be more like Christ. This has drastically changed my way of thinking. We should rejoice in the trials because we know what is true. We must keep on being faithful with what He has set before us, and He will give us grace to do so. Today, tomorrow, next week, next year, and for the rest of our lives on this earth. Remember His faithfulness, ladies, and let the truths in His word motivate you all the more to be faithful with what is set before you.