MORE FAITHFUL (LEARNING CONSISTENCY)

Since Courtney and I got married, we’ve always done our best to create and consistently maintain traditions within our little family. One of these traditions (probably one of our most favorite) is the day we all four choose to take down our fall décor in the house, and put up our Christmas decorations (inside & outside) and Christmas tree. It’s an awesome time for our household, and Courtney and I love watching the glowing faces of our girls as the excitement of the Christmas season starts to build within them.

This past weekend we continued this tradition.

As the sun was going down over the horizon and the night sky brought cooler temperatures, we all were outside; putting up the final bit of Christmas lights on the house. Each of us were wearing warmer clothes with jackets, and I took a moment to think how different the weather was last year when it was a lot warmer.

You see, most “Fall Seasons” in Texas don’t offer much in the way of cooler weather. Typically, it stays warm until the winter season, and then we start seeing our first 30, 40, 50, degree days. This year has been different in that we’ve actually had a true fall season, complete with cooler weather and the leaves on the trees changing colors. It’s been awesome to say the least. But as I thought about the varying weather from year to year and on a deeper level, the changing of seasons…it reminded me that we live in a world of inconsistency around us every day, and also within ourselves.

How blessed are we, that God does not operate under the same irregularities as we do?

How blessed are we, that even while the seasons differ from year to year, God is the same and will never change?

How blessed are we, that even when we choose to change and compromise our commitment to God, He never leaves or forsakes us?

“Do you think their faithlessness cancels out His faithfulness? Not on your life! Depend on it: God keeps His word even when the whole world is lying through its teeth.”

--Romans 3:3 (MSG)

I keep thinking about the last sentence of that Scripture, God keeps His word even when the whole world is lying through its teeth.”

I wonder, if the whole world is lying…or in other words, if everything is a lie…then what keeps my heart believing in concepts of faithfulness, consistency, and promises kept?

I don’t have to think too hard or look very far to know the answer is because I’ve experienced God’s faithfulness in my own life, and seen it in others. I’ve also experienced God’s compassion for me. The concept of compassion is important because for many people, God show’s them compassion when they don’t deserve it. God’s compassion goes hand in hand with His faithfulness, and both are expressed through action by His never leaving our side and always being open to reconciliation.

Brothers and sisters, we serve a faithful God. Let His example motivate us to be consistent…honest…and faithful; to our family, friends, and the world around us. Maybe by doing so, we’ll all find the value in consistency, and how powerful it truly is.

“By faith, barren Sarah was able to become pregnant, old woman as she was at the time, because she believed the One who made a promise, would do what He said.”

--Hebrews 11:11 (MSG)