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I found Christ, embodied in others, to be the place for living out fidelity. I discovered fidelity to be the call of Christ, not happiness or success. I found I could only be faithful to God in being faithful to others. I found I needed the Church more than She needed me.
*Brian K. Wilcox, OneLife Ministries, Author An Ache for Union.
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People are often unreasonable, illogical, and self-centered;
Forgive them anyway.
If you are kind,
people may accuse you of selfish ulterior motives;
Be kind anyway.
If you are successful,
you will win some false friends and some true enemies;
Succeed anyway.
If you are honest and frank,
people may cheat you;
Be honest and frank anyway.
What you spend years building,
someone could destroy overnight.
Build anyway.
If you find serenity and happiness,
they may be jealous;
Be happy anyway.
The good you do today,
people will often forget tomorrow;
Do good anyway.
Give the world the best you have,
and it may never be enough;
Give the best you've got anyway.
You see, in the final analysis
it is between you and God;
it was never between you and them anyway.
*Poem is engraved on the wall of Mother Teresa's home for children in Calcutta.
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An old Jewish legend tells how Solomon chose the spot to build his temple. Two brothers, residents of Jerusalem, were wheat farmers. Harvest was over, and though exhausted, the first brother thought to himself, "My brother has seven children. I have none. With so many to feed, he could use some help." So, before midnight, the first brother arose and transferred a large portion of his wheat to his brother's field.
Meanwhile, the second brother thought to himself, "My brother is all alone tonight. I am so blessed to have a large family. I should do something to bless him." Therefore, sometime after midnight the second brother got up and carried a large amount of the wheat in his field and left it in his brother's.
When each brother rose the next morning, he was amazed to find his supply of wheat undiminished. Each repeated the giving that night. Again, each woke to find their supply the same as before.
So, a third time they made their gifts, then, a fourth and a fifth. Finally, on the sixth night the brothers bumped into each other as they were going to each other's fields. Realising the blessing each had been trying to give, they embraced.
This is the place King Solomon decided to build his temple, the place of kindly fidelity.
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St. Paul addresses the active goodwill that is to characterize spiritual community in Christ.
9 Let love be genuine. Abhor what is evil [harmful]; hold fast to what is good [helpful]. 10 Love one another with brotherly affection [family affection]. Outdo one another in showing honor. 11 Do not be slothful in zeal, be fervent in spirit, serve the Lord. 12 Rejoice in hope, be patient in tribulation, be constant in prayer. 13 Contribute to the needs of the saints and seek to show hospitality.
*Romans 12.9-13, ESV
Above are the spiritual ethics of a Christ-hearted person and community.
In Christ, as spiritual brothers and sisters, we are faithful to Christ by fidelity to each other. We show others Christ through the manifestation of Christ's Spirit among ourselves.
Thomas Obediah Chisholm was born in a log cabin in Kentucky. He accepted a relationship with Christ at age twenty-seven. His health was unstable, and he moved between bouts of illness and fruitful employment. Among his jobs were journalism, insurance, and evangelism.
Despite his life struggles, Chisholm discovered the continual blessing of Grace. Lamentations 3 became precious to him. Verses 22-23 (ESV) read:
22 The steadfast love of the LORD never ceases;
his mercies never come to an end;
23they are new every morning;
great is your faithfulness.
Chisholm admitted there was no special revelation behind his writing of one of the most famous hymns, "Great Is Thy Faithfulness" (1923). While in New Jersey, he sent several of his poems to his friend, William Runyan. Runyan was so moved by this poem that he prayed ardently for special guidance in composing its music. The song remained relatively unknown, until use in Billy Graham Crusades popularized it worldwide.
The hymn is about God's faithfulness. I give the verses:
Great is Thy faithfulness, O God my Father;
There is no shadow of turning with Thee;
Thou changest not, Thy compassions, they fail not;
As Thou hast been, Thou forever will be.
Great is Thy faithfulness!
Great is Thy faithfulness!
Morning by morning new mercies I see.
All I have needed Thy hand hath provided;
Great is Thy faithfulness, Lord, unto me!
Summer and winter and springtime and harvest,
Sun, moon and stars in their courses above
Join with all nature in manifold witness
To Thy great faithfulness, mercy and love.
Pardon for sin and a peace that endureth
Thine own dear presence to cheer and to guide;
Strength for today and bright hope for tomorrow,
Blessings all mine, with ten thousand beside!
I offer the above lyrics to remind us that affirmation of God's qualities arises before us as a summons to embody the same in our lives. What have I done, if I sing of God's fidelity and benevolent kindness, despite the challenges and hardships that arise, if I am unwilling to seek to live a like fidelity to my spiritual kin, indeed to all persons, in Christ?
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Spend some time prayerfully meditating on Romans 12.9-13.
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Is there someone or some people whom you are to be faithful to, but which you find difficult to be faithful to? * Have you had the joy of being faithful in difficult times and to later be glad you were?
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*Source for history behind "Great Is Thy Faithfulness," Robert J. Morgan. Then Sings My Soul.
*Charitable contributions would be appreciated to assist Brian in the continuance of his work of ministry. For contributions, contact Brian at barukhattah@embarqmail.com .
*Brian's book of spiritual love poetry, An Ache for Union: Oneness with God through Love, can be ordered through major booksellers, or through the Cokesbury on-line store, at www.cokesbury.com .
*Brian K. Wilcox lives in Punta Gorda, FL, and Clearwater, FL, with his wife, step-son, and two beloved dogs. Brian has an independent writing, workshop, and retreat ministry focused on Christians living as spiritual disciples of Jesus Christ in everyday life. He serves the Christ Community United Methodist Church, Punta Gorda, FL. Brian is vowed at Greenbough House of Prayer, a contemplative Christian community in South Georgia. He lives a vowed, contemplative life and inspires others to experience a more intimate relationship with God-in-Christ. Brian advocates for a spiritually-focused, experiential Christianity and renewal of the focus of the Church on addressing the deeper spiritual needs and longings of persons.
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