In preparing for tomorrow’s bible study, the lesson asked me to write down what I thought the definition of loyalty was. I wrote:
“Sticking with a person or thing, no matter what.”
Good, but not quite good enough. The definition in the lesson was:
“To be firm, be steadfast, be established, be faithful, be sure, be reliable, be fixed, be certain, to be ready, be prepared, to be determined..”
The the lesson asked me to circle any part of that definition that provides fresh insight to me. I missed the word “fresh” because I stayed fixated on my own definition so I circled “be established, be steadfast, be faithful”. The lesson pointed out the “fresh” insight lies in the words “be prepared”. Prepared? This is obviously the “fresh” insight because I couldn’t relate “being prepared” to being loyal.
In studying the book of Daniel, we have been centering on the actions of the three men who refused to denounce God and worship the statue that the king built or be thrown into the furnace. When the king asked them to bow down they refused on the spot. They didn’t hesitate. They didn’t discuss it. They didn’t reason it out. They just all said no immediately. Another words their loyalty was prepared. When the test of their faith came, there was no question. Their loyalty was already decided.
I loved that concept. I am in a difficult test right now and have been for an inordinate amount of time. Before the difficulty arose, I pledged complete and utter loyalty, no matter what. I reiterated those three words, no matter what, at least three times a week, pledging loyalty. My loyalty was being “prepared”. Then the test came. It not only came, it set up camp. Nothing like duration to test loyalty.
When the test came, I never hesitated. Not once did I entertain walking away. A lot was asked of me, but I had committed. I committed for life – no matter what. That’s what no matter means – the loyalty is decided long before the test, no matter what the test involves or asks of me. The loyalty is prepared.
Later in in the lesson a personal question was asked. We were given no line to record an answer. It’s a heart question. A heart question is where you look deep inside yourself and commit – yes or no. You can be completely honest because the answer is never spoken aloud – it’s written only on your heart. I’ll leave you with that question tonight:
“Have you prepared your loyalty to your God? Could any circumstance (such as an unheated disease, unanswered prayer, loss of a loved one) make you renounce your faith?”
I know. Tomorrow’s class should be a good one.
And so, as another day goes by, let us all go about “preparing our loyalties”, wherever they may lie, and…I have written.
Photo: Given to me today by a friend. How timely.
Leave a Reply