Faithful
“But you must stay deeply rooted and firm in your faith. You must not give up the hope you received when you heard the good news. It was preached to everyone on earth, and I myself have become a servant of this message.”
Colossians 1:23. CEV
Faithful – “true to one’s word; steady in affection; reliable, trusted or believed; full of faith” (dictionary.com). As my husband and I celebrate our 35th wedding anniversary today, I’m pondering what it means to be faithful, both to my spouse and to my Lord.
Faithfulness is an undervalued character trait in American society today, I believe. We admire the bold, risk-takers, independent-minded people. Faithfulness can even seem boring! Our former organist played in our church for 58 years. That is faithfulness. I love to see married couples who are celebrating their 50th, 60th, or even 70th anniversary. That is faithfulness.
As we observe Holy Week, I’m thinking about all those who shouted “Hosanna” on Palm Sunday. They were extolling Jesus, praising Him. And one short week later many of those same people were yelling “Crucify Him.” Their faithfulness did not last one week.
During his sermon yesterday, my husband told a true story he heard from Billy Graham. As communists from North Korea came into South Korea during the war, they stormed into a church and told the “faithful” who were worshipping to renounce Jesus and abuse the picture of Jesus they threw on the floor. The communist soldiers threatened death if the church-goers did not renounce Jesus. One by one, a few of the deacons spit on Jesus’ picture and stomped on it. When it was a teenage girl’s turn, she tearfully picked up the picture and wiped off the spit with her skirt. Tears streaming down her face, she told the soldiers she would not renounce her Lord and Savior. Once everyone had either renounced Jesus or remained faithful, the soldiers told all who had remained faithful to leave the church. Four church members remained, including a few deacons. The faithful outside heard four shots. The soldiers came out and told them that if anyone so easily gave up their beliefs, they would also give up the new doctrine of communism.
Remaining faithful is not always easy. It takes sacrifice. It takes commitment. It takes perseverance. But isn’t it worth it all in the end?
What a good word, Katie!
Happy 35th anniversary, Katie. My hubby and I will celebrate our 35th in May.
I love the story you shared from South Korea. I agree that faithfulness is not easy, but it is worth it.
You are right, it is difficult to find faithfulness anymore not just in our relationships but in our walk with the Lord. I want to be found faithful in all that I do and say. Happy Anniversary also.