The Fruits of Faithfulness

There are benefits that come from loyalty, but I think in this day too many people miss them because they let their passions and desires rule their decision-making. 

It always seems to make sense at first, to take the opportunities in front of us that just seem...so great. What if this opportunity never comes again? What are the chances that this is here now? I think people use those 2 questions as reason to %100 chase after this thing that is so appealing to them. 

Yeah, I'm being vague right now. I'll use an example to help explain. How about my job?

I've got a decent job. I mean, I can easily survive off of what I make. I enjoy what I do. Ugh, but one of my coworkers is so annoying. And I have to sit in traffic to get there and to get back home. Yeah, things definitely could be better. Some would argue to get out there and find a better job. There is one, right? It's America, right? I have that right, right? To have my dream job, just the way I want it? So...what if a job opportunity came up that was closer to home and better pay? A no-brainer, right? This is what I'm trying to say: It may be great, it may be better in a lot of ways. But what I would miss if I took that job and kept following that pattern of decision-making, are all the fruits of faithfulness that would come from me sticking with the job I have.

Thinking about the reasons I would take that job, it's purely all about me. Gasp. So what? Of course it is, Aaron. You gotta take care of yourself! You do you. But is that really the best way to make choices? Really? We jump around anytime a better thing pops up in our life, to avoid discomfort, to avoid hardship, to avoid anything we hate....and then we end up throwing out the window all the things we would gain from pushing through what is difficult and uncomfortable. And you look at yourself....and it's just that. You are all over the place. You are always chasing something better, always unhappy with what you have, always looking somewhere other than where you are. No one wants that employee. No one wants that spouse. 

Which brings me to my other point. Relationships. I may sound really really crazy talking about jobs, but I think these same principals apply to relationships, and I am going to guess that I sound less crazy here. 

When I marry the girl that I marry, I am saying that I am committed to her. Her entirely. Through better, worse, rich, poor, sickness, health. There is a reason vows are made, because we are flighty people that want to leave when things get rough. And everyone knows the pain that comes when someone leaves a committed relationship. I may tell my woman in a sappy way that she is perfect, she is the best, she is superior to all other woman. But realistically, there will always be someone that is smarter than my wife, prettier, with better talents, better grammar, better smells, etc. You get it. But does that mean I should just take off when I get sick of how my wife spends money? I mean...there is probably a way more fiscally responsible woman out there. It's America, right? I should be able to have what I want, right? Sadly, some people really do operate that way in relationships, and that's why divorce and break-ups are so common.

I think putting this whole thing in the context of a relationship makes it a little easier to process. Commitment is vastly better than leaving. What comes from leaving? A broken heart, maybe two, and a coward that hasn't learned how to deal with a problem. (Yes, I understand there are good reasons to leave, I'm not talking about those situations) What comes from staying? Use your imagination. Put yourself in the shoes of the person with the "problem." What does it mean to you when your spouse says that they are sticking with you, regardless of this issue they see? That's everything. That's love. That's inspiration to change, actually. And that person that stays learns patience, self-control, and selflessness. Maybe that person learns over time helpful ways to deal with said problem.  And every problem that is addressed and responded to with grace is more resilience and wisdom for the next issue that arises. 

I have seen these very fruits from sticking with my very own job. One of the coolest things I have from staying at my job for over 3 years now is the relationship I have with my boss and his family. I could never have that if I was hopping jobs and getting a new and "better" one every year. And looking away from just what purely suits me, it's been awesome to be able to be a steady and committed employee for him, for his family. I can't imagine being a boss and having employees coming and going constantly. 

Bringing this back, I would argue that this same principal can be applied in every single area of our life. And it is definitely not a trend that is catching on...it's fading slowly out of existence. Technology is being created and designed to free us of our problems. People are told to go after whatever makes them happy; happiness is king. I am asking you to look at areas of your life: your relationship, your job, your city, your friends, your church....instead of using what is wrong to be an excuse to go after something else, commit. Commit to what you have. Stick with it for some time and see what you learn. There will always be another thing that seems better, but that doesn't mean that you should chase it. It's like working out. You go to the gym expecting resistance...it's what makes you stronger. Literally. And it's only when you stick with it that your strength grows. 

My final point is this: We have a God who does exactly this and is an example to us. We are the worst. And he is eternally faithful to us in spite of all our faults. If you read the stories of Israel through the Bible, it's jaw-dropping how often the Israelites turn away from God and live in disobedience, especially after having seen him show great signs of his love to them, in each generation. Part of what makes it so astonishing is how honest it is; it is a reflection of us all. And yet, God continues to be faithful despite the repetitive disobedience we show. Not only that, but God knew before we existed just how unfaithful we would be in our lifetime. 

When I think about heaven, I sometimes have a hard time fathoming what it will be like to worship God for eternity. But then, when I think about that moment when I see all the sins I have committed in a lifetime stacked up (including all the ones I was oblivious to) against the faithfulness of God through it all, because of Jesus' death in our place, I can't imagine anything that makes more sense than singing God's praises for all of time.