Faithfulness, what comes to mind when you think of that? Showing up, not giving up, determination, targeted discipline are just a few.
When I think of faithfulness, I think of a runner preparing for a marathon. They have to faithfully get up and train and they can’t give up. There’s a level of commitment to honor the call and follow through until the end.
"I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. Finally, there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will give to me on that Day, and not to me only but also to all who have loved His appearing." 2 Timothy 4:7-8
But just how we as Christians are running a race, there are also runners who don’t remain faithful.
I see the runner who:
Decided to run but didn’t put on the appropriate shoes and was careless in tying the shoestrings and ended up stumbling.
Gets easily distracted by everyone else running past them constantly obsessing and comparing how the others are running.
Gives up immediately because they didn’t think it would be that hard.
Gives only 50% and goes so slowly that the race ends before they make it to the finish line.
Sees people walking on the sidelines and decides “why can’t I walk too? Cuz it looks easier than what I’m doing.”
Tries to cut corners in getting to the finish line.
Is full of pride and intentionally trips others causing them to stumble along the way.
Listens to the naysayers on the sidelines and gives up because they can’t handle the negative pressure.
Which runner are you? Do you give up when things get hard? Do you constantly compare your run to others? Does your life reflect what you say you believe?
God didn’t throw us into the marathon and say “you’re on your own.” We are given a playbook to run well and that is through the Holy Word of God. And we are given a trainer to keep us in shape - the Holy Spirit.
Faithfulness comes from a place of trust and loyalty. It comes from obedience. When our faith is founded in God, we can continue on because HE NEVER FAILS. Because HE is trustworthy.
If we do not apply obedience and the truths of following through, we falter and will give up. We become like those runners listed who were distracted and who didn’t finish well. We must remain faithful and not lose heart because we run towards the upward prize. We can’t lose sight of that, we cannot give up.
As we abide in the vine through God’s Word and Holy Spirit, the fruit is faithfulness. And as we learn from the Lord and understand Him better, we’re able to reflect His characteristics.
Be the runner who keeps their eyes on the prize - who doesn’t look to the right or the left but remains diligent to finish well.
“Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit.” Galatians 5:25
Don't give up. Don't settle for less than God's best. His best isn't compromise. His best isn't sliding back from where you were. Your run is a race. You can't just stop in the middle and say you reached the end already. You have to move forward.
Because He who has promised is faithful. And He is with you every step of the way.
~ Kissy Black