Fruit for the Holidays - Faithfulness

These past few months have been interesting. We have had a hurricane ravage our house, a roof leak, a beetle killed pine tree that had to go, a mangled garage door, and missed deadlines. I am not complaining or feeling sorry for myself, it’s just reality. These are just some examples. I am sure you have plenty of your own unfortunate events.

It feels like many unexpected events happen over the holidays, especially when we have so many other temporary demands that take up our time. Sometimes it’s enough to yell, “God…where are you?!”

I hate to admit it but sometimes I can doubt God’s faithfulness. I am much more inclined to have ups and downs in my faith depending both on how the people around me are doing and whatever circumstances I currently find myself. I can tend to equate the current circumstance of life with His faithfulness. Do you ever do that? Things are going well…God is great! Things are going crummy…hmmm. Is God still faithful? Of course! Am I?

God’s faithfulness is much different than my own, thank goodness. God is ALWAYS faithful, whether or not we reciprocate. He knows we are prone to wander and to doubt, but he never does. Our God never leaves us nor forsakes us. He is loyal to his children. He is Truth and His Word never fails. He can be trusted, especially when we don’t understand what’s happening or why. God is constant, unwavering, unchanging, compassionate, reliable, and committed at ALL times. He protects us, forgives us, and encourages us through the gift of the Holy Spirit. Halleluiah!

There is so much confidence, certainty, and strength to be gained in our lives when we really lean into His faithfulness. When we learn to walk unwaveringly with God, then we can become truly faithful ourselves. We may stumble off the path from time to time, but the great thing is that we are just one step away from getting back on course.

I pray that each of us can truly lean into God’s faithfulness this holiday season.

I have had a hard time visualizing “faithfulness”. What do you picture in your mind when you think of the term “Faithfulness”?

What are some ways you can show faithfulness to God? To others?

Which relationships take the biggest hit during the holidays for you? Is there anything you can do to change that this year?

What does it look like for you to “walk by faith”?

Scripture

“He will cover you with his pinions, and under his wings you will find refuge; his faithfulness is a shield and buckler.” Psalm 91:4

“Your faithfulness endures to all generations; you have established the earth, and it stands fast.” Psalm 119:90

“Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen.” Hebrews 11:1

“So we are always of good courage. We know that while we are at home in the body we are away from the Lord, for we walk by faith, not by sight.” 2 Corinthians 5:6-7