Have you ever felt like there was not enough time in your day to get everything done? The pace of our lives in the 21st century seems to make it difficult at times to keep up with it all. There are so many things that compete for our time and attention. Yet, even during those times when we feel like everything is in chaos, the choice of what to pay attention to still lies within each of us. Staying focused on what the Word of God says and learning to follow the promptings of the Lord are extremely important parts of overcoming the chaos and living a successful Christian life. Doing these things, and doing them well, however, does not happen automatically. As with any endeavor in life, it is the faithful person who matures and grows.
Galatians 5:22-23 says, But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, faith, meekness, temperance, against such there is no law.
In the Amplified Bible, the word “faith” in this Scripture is translated as “faithfulness.” The fruit of faithfulness is one of the characteristics of your reborn spirit, and it is essential to living a life that is pleasing to God. As Christians, we should be full of faith, but we also need to be faithful.
What does it mean to be faithful? It is defined as being loyal and dependable. Therefore, to be faithful means to be worthy of trust. A faithful person does what he says and finishes what he starts. Faithfulness begins with the little things in life. It is seen first in your routine and in your everyday chores and activities. It should also be seen in your home, on your job, and at your church. Your spouse and your children need to know they can depend upon you and that you will keep your word. Your employer needs to know that you will show up and do an excellent job. Your employees need to know that you will provide them with the opportunities to be successful. Your pastor and fellow church members need to know that you can be trusted to join with them and do your part.
These “little things” are not unimportant. In fact, your family, your job, and your church are the most important aspects of your life. By proving yourself faithful in these everyday things, you make yourself available to be trusted with other things concerning the kingdom of God. In the parable of the talents, Jesus said, Well done, thou good and faithful servant: thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things.” (Matthew 25:21)
Moses was a great example of someone who was faithful. In the book of Numbers, the Bible tells us that Moses was faithful in all his house. (Numbers 12:6-8) One translation says that of all God’s house, Moses was the one the Lord trusted. Moses had proven himself faithful. Because of this, God said that He would not speak to Moses in dreams and visions, but openly—He would speak with Moses face to face. Moses had developed his relationship and fellowship with the Lord, and he proved his faithfulness to God through his routine—his every day relationship with the Lord. Psalm 103:7 says that God made known His ways unto Moses. Think about that…because Moses was faithful in his responsibilities, God revealed His ways to him. Moses’ faithfulness to making the time to know God led him into a deeper relationship with God. It was his faithfulness in this area that allowed God to later entrust him with the responsibility of leading His people out of Egypt and to the Promised Land.
In the same way, it is of great benefit to us to be faithful in our relationship with God. As we learn God’s ways and learn to follow His promptings and leadings, then we, too, will find greater success in our lives and be found trustworthy to handle greater responsibilities.
Psalm 103:7 also tells us that God made know His acts to the children of Israel, but it all began with the faithfulness of Moses. God desires for you to be faithful because He wants to bless you and He wants to bless other people through you.
In the story of Jesus rebuking the storm while going to the other side of the sea, we see that Jesus and His disciples were not the only people affected by Jesus taking authority over the storm.
Mark 4:35-5:1, And the same day, when the even was come, he saith unto them, Let us pass over unto the other side. And when they had sent away the multitude, they took him even as he was in the ship. And there were also with him other little ships. And there arose a great storm of wind, and the waves beat into the ship, so that it was now full. And he was in the hinder part of the ship, asleep on a pillow: and they awake him, and say unto him, Master, carest thou not that we perish? And he arose, and rebuked the wind, and said unto the sea, Peace, be still. And the wind ceased, and there was a great calm. And he said unto them, Why are ye so fearful? how is it that ye have no faith? And they feared exceedingly, and said one to another, What manner of man is this, that even the wind and the sea obey him? And they came over unto the other side of the sea, into the country of the Gadarenes.
Notice that there were other little ships with them. The people in those other ships also received the benefit of Jesus calming the storm. Notice, too, that on the other side of the sea was the country of the Gadarenes. This is where Jesus delivered the man who had the legion of devils. You see, calming the storm benefiting all the people who were with Jesus led to the deliverance of this demon possessed man.
There are people in your life who are counting on you. There are also people to whom you will minister that are counting on you to make it. You may not even know these people yet, but they are counting on you to get to the other side. As you are faithful to speak and live the Word of God in your home, on your job, and at your church, you will see the benefits. You will help take people to places of faith and prosperity. Your faithfulness also will allow God to lead you to places to bring peace and healing to people in need.
God is looking for faithful people to learn His ways and recognize when He is leading them. If we will be faithful in these areas, then we will see the acts of God in our homes, our workplaces, our schools, and our churches. Faithfulness will produce lasting results.