CONSISTENCY IN CHARACTER
There's something to be said for faithfulness. Being faithful is unique in that it is a title that one earns over the course of time. Faithful is not just a one-time momentary event. It is a day-in, day-out process of consistency. Faithfulness is a long obedience in the same direction.
As a Christ-follower you’re called to be faithful because God is faithful. In Christ you see the perfect example of faithfulness. You may be ready to say, "Ooops, too late. If faithfulness is consistency in character, I'm the most inconsistent person I know. If faithfulness is keeping one's promises, I've racked up far too many broken promises. If faithfulness is dependability, I'm not proud of my record there, either." None of us are as faithful in every area as we ought to be, or as we want to be. That's why it's important for us to remember that earning the title of "faithful servant" is an extended journey. Over the course of time we learn to grow in faithfulness. It's a long obedience in the same direction. “Well done, my good and faithful servant.” (Matthew 25:21)
Your character is what you do when you think no one is looking. If you need someone looking over your shoulder 24/7 in order to do what's right, you will have a hard time developing the quality of faithfulness, because much of what you do is unobserved. Your greatest strides in the quality of faithfulness will be made without an audience.
Here's an important distinction you need to make. You should have an accountability structure in place. This is about the checks and balances you establish to make sure you stay on track. Everyone must answer to someone. However, no amount of accountability can overcome a lack of character. And your faithfulness is an extension of your character. There will be times in your life when the boss, so to speak, is away on a journey. And it may feel like no one is watching — not even God. And it may feel like he's never coming back, and all you've got to work with is this little amount — not nearly as much as everyone else — and who's going to notice if you invest it or spend it or bury it (Matthew 25:14-30). What difference will it make? It makes a huge difference. What you do when no one is looking is where you build a foundation of faithfulness.
Great actors don't become great actors just because they got a lucky break and found themselves in a blockbuster movie. No great actors become great actors because they have taken the time to perfect their craft and learn their lines and create their character — even when no one is watching.
Do you want to stand out — in your work, in your relationships, in your health and finances, and in your walk with Christ? If you want to improve your faithfulness, even if you don't have much to work with, even if nobody is looking over your shoulder make your life to be a long obedience in the same direction. Do your best, even when no one is looking.
As a Christ-follower you’re called to be faithful because God is faithful. In Christ you see the perfect example of faithfulness. You may be ready to say, "Ooops, too late. If faithfulness is consistency in character, I'm the most inconsistent person I know. If faithfulness is keeping one's promises, I've racked up far too many broken promises. If faithfulness is dependability, I'm not proud of my record there, either." None of us are as faithful in every area as we ought to be, or as we want to be. That's why it's important for us to remember that earning the title of "faithful servant" is an extended journey. Over the course of time we learn to grow in faithfulness. It's a long obedience in the same direction. “Well done, my good and faithful servant.” (Matthew 25:21)
Your character is what you do when you think no one is looking. If you need someone looking over your shoulder 24/7 in order to do what's right, you will have a hard time developing the quality of faithfulness, because much of what you do is unobserved. Your greatest strides in the quality of faithfulness will be made without an audience.
Here's an important distinction you need to make. You should have an accountability structure in place. This is about the checks and balances you establish to make sure you stay on track. Everyone must answer to someone. However, no amount of accountability can overcome a lack of character. And your faithfulness is an extension of your character. There will be times in your life when the boss, so to speak, is away on a journey. And it may feel like no one is watching — not even God. And it may feel like he's never coming back, and all you've got to work with is this little amount — not nearly as much as everyone else — and who's going to notice if you invest it or spend it or bury it (Matthew 25:14-30). What difference will it make? It makes a huge difference. What you do when no one is looking is where you build a foundation of faithfulness.
Great actors don't become great actors just because they got a lucky break and found themselves in a blockbuster movie. No great actors become great actors because they have taken the time to perfect their craft and learn their lines and create their character — even when no one is watching.
Do you want to stand out — in your work, in your relationships, in your health and finances, and in your walk with Christ? If you want to improve your faithfulness, even if you don't have much to work with, even if nobody is looking over your shoulder make your life to be a long obedience in the same direction. Do your best, even when no one is looking.
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