Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things. 1 Corinthians 13:7
A blank canvas sits before a painter as it awaits the stroke of the painter’s hand to create a painting. His thoughts and tools are ready to create. Colour by colour each one adds a new dimension needed for the painting to come to life. The painter’s thoughts flow and with each stroke of the brush the painting changes. Gradually images emerge and begin to reveal themselves. If the painter perseveres with loyalty and dedication to the journey a masterpiece unveils. His journey is not in vain. He has remained loyal to what he has set out to do. His painting and talents become a gift to self and others. God is loyal when we have faith. Faith gives us hope and love. How does loyalty play a role in your life?
As I journey on through the Bible in a year I reflect on Abraham’s family and Job. I reflect on loyalty and the role it plays in my life. As we came upon the story of Sodom we see Abraham, father of faith, bargain with God to save the people, especially Lot. God grants his request. Joseph a most loyal man trusted in God’s plan as he came to live in Egypt. Then we read of Job loyal to God but in a battle of suffering in spirit. There is suffering. There’s brokenness throughout many of their lives but they know God redeems. He is the way back. Even when temptation caused them to falter they kept their eyes fixed on God. They knew that’s where their salvation was. If their lives were to prosper it would be through God and in His name.
As I flip through the pages of my life, loyalty is like air we breath. It is essential for us to have a solid relationship with God to come to understand the essence of loyalty. Then it can spill into our relationships and bear fruit. My husband reminds me that loyalty like mine is rare in today’s culture. Loyalty is faithfulness in the face of any temptation. Temptation surrounds us but it also provides an opportunity to infuse ourselves with God’s strength. And to avoid temptation around us. It’s difficult for people to remain loyal to good things and thoughts in the midst of ill thoughts around us. Gossip and things that seek to put down or condemn tempt us and lead us down a dark path. Psalm 1 is reminds us, happy are those who do not sit in the seat of scoffers. At times I sit apart from others to avoid temptation. With it may come the cost of being alone. We are never alone. He walks with us. It benefits us to foster delayed gratification. We must always look upon others as creatures of God and worthy of love. For in painful thoughts of people there is pain that needs healing. We must pray for them as God asks of us. If I sit apart I can avoid temptation and pray for others and myself. This is not to say that we are above those that are broken. Jesus sat shoulder to shoulder with sinners to heal as he would want us to do for others. This can be crux for people. Solitude may cause fear in some but it also allows us to pull closer to Him and keep our mind clear and calm. The Bible psalm 1 reminds us of, The Two Ways, Happy are those who do not follow the advice of the wicked.. but their delight is on the law of the Lord, and on his law they meditate day and night. They are like trees planted by streams of water, which yield their fruit in it season, and their leaves do not wither. In all they do, they prosper.
Why do I set aside God’s will for me? It is out of comfort or ease? In my steadfastness at times I fail to do what God asks of me. Fear may play a role in it. Lack of motivation. Lack of understanding of the depths and breath to know unwavering faith. ‘The path of least resistance’ if you will. Still I gently place my thoughts and life in his care. I remain loyal to His truths even when I myself falter. When I make myself available to Him there’s always healing and hope. There is always a growth in love and joy. My relationship with God strengthens as well as with others. I keep my eyes fixed on God. Like the precipitation of a soft, cleansing rain their is newness. There may be sprinkles of discomfort but love follows. With it greater peace and joy.
We can ask ourselves, How are my thoughts, words or action in service of another? How am I showing love for another? Loyalty spills over into so many places in our life. In how we live each day, we can prosper. Life is far too short and precious to squander on things that do not promote love. God is the strengthener of souls. When I was reluctant he filled me confidence. When I was unmotivated his word inspired me. When I veered from the mission he set me on a straight path. He is a miracle worker. As a child and throughout my life I dearly loved to please others, especially my parents. Still I wake every morning with thoughts to serve those I love. Whether it is to tidy our home, make sacred homemade meals or bake, write, sew, teach, share heart to hearts, it is with the intention to be loyal and sow and sprinkle God’s love. When we aim to please Him we can become a gift to God and others. We come to hold loyalty precious in our hearts to share with others in the name of Jesus.
I had the privilege to grow up with family and relatives that were a fiercely loyal and loving bunch. I was blessed. But when I ventured out into into other relationship, loyalty became more blurred. Lines crossed. In high school I recall my great passion to read and write. At the time it seemed my work was always met with disapproval. I allowed that brush to paint the moments of many years. It is that stroke of lack we can allow to paint other areas of our life. We can become disloyal to God’s vision. We can choose to remain in the shadows. Or we can choose the truth that our purpose is to love God, know God and serve God. God gave me joy to inspire others. He is my audience. He chooses who will listen and who will not. I pray and add many dashes of humility. I choose to live in the light of loyalty to God.
Whether I serve my family, friends or church or inspiring others I aim to please God. His message and motives remain the same. When we remain loyal to seeking God’s will and make our dreams, talents and gifts available we share in our purpose. We can dwell on a distant dream or walk a path of adventure filled with marvelous unveiling of love. God is the painter of his masterpiece.
How does loyalty play a role in your life?
Lord keep my eyes fixed on your love. Keep my heart fixed on your love. Keep my hands fixed on your work. Keep my mind fixed on your word. Let me see others through the eyes of love as you would want for me. Give me the confidence to be strong and humble. Amen.
Peace,
Claudia