Faithful
– that’s an interesting word. We use it often and sometimes without much
thought. Yet, to be truly faithful is to remains dedicated and timeless in our
response.
Recently I pulled a manuscript up on my monitor that I hadn’t worked
on for a while. As I read, I realized I would have to revise it a lot because
of new perspectives I had on the topic. I asked a small-membership church
consultant to review it for it’s relevancy to today’s church. He immediately
requested that I clearly define the meaning of the word, faithful. “What do you
mean? That word means different things to different people in the small
church.” Good point, but somehow I didn’t want to hear it. I guess I like to
think everybody uses the same dictionary.
However,
I admit to people using words and phrases in conversation when I wonder about
the logical meaning and
I might say the same thing as the consultant, “Can you unpack that word
for me.” Or “What does that mean to you?” And when I do, some look at me and
stumble with another phrase or word that invites me to say, “Can you say a
little bit more about that?”
Cracking
open the word faithful caused me to query, ‘faithful to
what, to whom? and why?’ To respond is of utmost importance to know
to whom, to what, and why we are committed and then decide how to honour our
loyalty. This
leaves me to think, I cannot make a faithful decision with only self in mind. I
have to identify who else is at the table—another unchangeable principle in
life.
However,
having said that, I admit one’s own perspective and
culture determines the definition of this word in relationships,
agreements, legal arrangements and vocabulary.
The latter caught my attention when a friend of mine recently passed back to me a letter I’d written to her in the 80’s. As I read it, I thought, “Yes, these are my experiences, but it’s not my vocabulary and not my expression of faith.” It caused me to pause, acknowledge and appreciate the expressed experiences in a new way, knowing I would use different religious language to interpret them now—perhaps another unchangeable principle.
The latter caught my attention when a friend of mine recently passed back to me a letter I’d written to her in the 80’s. As I read it, I thought, “Yes, these are my experiences, but it’s not my vocabulary and not my expression of faith.” It caused me to pause, acknowledge and appreciate the expressed experiences in a new way, knowing I would use different religious language to interpret them now—perhaps another unchangeable principle.
So, Faithful
Choices: A discussion book for small-membership churches is back in
the land of the living, facing a big revision. Now I just have to get my mind
around the necessary changes and acknowledge that they are for the best. That
too is an inevitable change and yes, maybe another unchangeable principle.
Blessings,
Donna
Watch
for Faithful Choices: A discussion book for small-membership churches
3 comments:
Donna, thank you for sharing your insights, as gleaned from your experience.
Hmm, you bring out so well, in your manuscript review account, the challenge to remain faithful amidst change and to ask ourselves what that even means.
Thanks for the challenge to aspire to the wisdom that comes through the experience of living consistently amidst change. ~~+~~
Thanks for your comments, Peter. A good revision on a manuscript often opens up a perspective that I would have ordinarily overlooked. Although I don't like revisions because of the time element, I sure like the results. And blessings to you as you in the midst of change, as well.
Thanks Donna.
In sunshine or shadow, fair days and rain, our Heavenly Father's love and mercy constant remain. :)
~~+~~
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