Mundane Monday: The Fruit of Faithfulness - Denise Pass

Galatians 2:16, 20

16 “Yet we know that no one is justified by the works of the law but by the faithfulness of Jesus Christ. And we have come to believe in Christ Jesus, so that we may be justified by the faithfulness of Christ and not by the works of the law, because by the works of the law no one will be justified.  20  I have been crucified with Christ, and it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me. So the life I now live in the body, I live because of the faithfulness of the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.”

Galatians 3:22

“But the scripture imprisoned everything and everyone under sin so that the promise could be given–because of the faithfulness of Jesus Christ–to those who believe.”

1 Corinthians 4:2

“Now it is required that those who have been given a trust must prove faithful.”

Sometimes in the busyness of life it is difficult to be consistent and faithful to the calling of God.  We can make many plans, but carrying them out is another matter entirely.  It takes perseverance and fortitude, conviction and diligence.

Being faithful is not always convenient nor praised.  Often unnoticed as merely doing what is expected, it is not until a long pattern of faithfulness that the fruit of that endeavor is displayed in all its beauty.

This past week as I went to get my hair done, I hear the LORD whisper to my heart – “Denise, are you available”?  “Yes, LORD.  Use me for Your glory.”  As I walked into the hair salon, I was filled with anticipation – what divine appointment would God have planned?  A new cosmetologist greeted me and four hours later the LORD confirmed to both of us that this was a move of God.  She had been asking God for answers about homeschooling and Christianity.  All of the years of home educating and walking with God stood as a witness of faithfulness which bore witness to her.

All of the challenges and interruptions through the years did not matter in that moment.  Having pushed through failures and remaining in the calling of God now mattered to another soul who needed to see someone who had gone before and demonstrated faithfulness, only by the grace of God.  Not perfection, not always success in the world’s eyes, but staying on course in Christ.

Suddenly as I shared storied from 19 years of home educating, I realized afresh how blessed I was to have heard God’s calling and held fast to it.  So many times I had doubted my ability and felt inadequate with judgment all around me.  So many hurdles I had to overcome to stay on the path, but I clung to Christ and have indeed seen fruit that now testifies to others, as well.

This week I am stepping back into the music calling God has on my life.  It is humbling.  I am surrounded by a great cloud of witnesses who all are called to serve, as well.  Comparing is futile and seeking validation is, as well.  Each testimony is unique and cherished, a tool to be used faithfully to share the Gospel with the world.

Age or beauty are not as critical as character and the faithfulness of diligently preparing for the work of God.  We each have our own niche or calling that God has spoken to our hearts.  Maybe we have believed the doubts of our hearts or felt the expectations of others were meant for us.  Overcoming the mental objections and pressing on is where victory lies.

If Jesus had not been faithful, there would be no Gospel.  He chose to demonstrate to us what true faithfulness looks like. Selfless, resolute, humble.  This amazing truth we hold is not something merely for our edification – we are ambassadors and must be faithful in whatever position God has placed us in to share this cure for all that troubles the human soul.

Oh God!  We are servants of Your precious Word!  Please help us to be faithful stewards of Your truth and to refrain from distractions that pull us away from consistently serving You and Your Kingdom.