Faithfulness First
In a message on leadership given by Jon Tyson in the middle of the pandemic, he reflected on a tough question that a mentor asked him. That question was, “What if this moment we’re in right now will be the easiest your leadership will ever be for the rest of your life?”[1] Wow, what a question. Do you feel the weight of it? Or, possibly, you feel the overwhelming burden in it. I know that as I reflected on it, I have felt both. As Tyson works through this question in his talk, he comes to the conclusion that the Christian journey, that is, following Jesus in a whole-life way, will lead us into suffering. However, it does not have to end there; we are able to experience great joy and abundant life even in our suffering. Why? Because of the life given to us through Jesus. And we experience the depth of the goodness of that life through the vehicle of faithfulness. Profound and encouraging, right? I think this is why Paul went on to write, “that I may know him and the power of his resurrection, and may share his sufferings, becoming like him in his death…” (Phil. 3:10)
Paul will suffer for the cause of the gospel, and we’ve already seen that happen in the book of Acts. As we keep reading, we will see it over and over again. This Sunday, Paul will journey to a new place, faithfully share the gospel (the good news of eternal life through Jesus), and end up being persecuted there. Yet, he does not flee; he stays with the Christians in that community and faithfully encourages them, and builds up the church. Paul’s example will remind us that the upward call of following Jesus is not defined by the metrics of this world. This age only sees up and to the right, that is, increasing bank accounts, bigger houses, all things more as success. As Tyson asked, what if things aren’t going to get easier? What if following Jesus is easier today than it will be tomorrow? How do we not just endure but take joy in that reality? Faithfulness.
In the Kingdom of God, faithfulness is defined as success. And, here is the good news and a breath of relief and hope, you can be faithful even when things aren’t up and to the right. In other words, you can be faithful even in the midst of hardship and suffering. And that is the invitation and the way of Jesus, follow me and be faithful. Like Paul, let us know Jesus in his sufferings and find the path of faithfulness.
So then, what does faithfulness require, or what is its task? Simply, to take the next right step of Godly obedience.
Above all else, let us be found to be faithful. And in that, let us experience the fullness of life in and through Jesus. For he was faithful first.
[1] https://media.qideas.org/video/4e9d8acd-2d5f-49b1-aecc-6fbfc0634a38