“…and lo, I am with you always until the very end of the age” Matthew 28:20
When I think of loyalty, I picture an employee staying in a job because he’s committed more to making a difference than the pay – and I also picture that sports fan who cheers on his/her team – even though they aren’t doing very well in the win column.
I have a friend who was getting married, and he asked my brother to be his best man in the wedding. My brother was stationed overseas in Vietnam and was not able to come home for the wedding. Rather than replace my brother, the guy didn’t have his best man present – but the bride and groom simply had a space for where my brother would be in the ceremony, in the pictures, and at the reception head table. Wow, that’s an element of loyalty.
But, currently we know many who admire loyalty from afar, and who put loyalty at the bottom of the priority list and simply take an attitude of “I want to do what I want to do when I want to do it and nothing will get in the way of my plans.”
A very familiar set of phrases are often shared around this concept: “I’ve got your back.” “You can depend on me.” “Count me in.” “I’ll be part of your inner circle.” “Don’t worry about me, I’m loyal!”
True loyalty is rarely tested during good times. It’s tested under stress. It’s challenged and revealed in time crunches, financial sacrifice, when times are difficult for you, your family, your company, or your church. It shouldn’t surprise us.
In the Bible, Peter made similar statements to Jesus, only to deny Him when it really counted. I may be an optimist, but I believe everyone would like to put loyalty higher on their values list, but maybe you’re afraid. Maybe you want to keep your options open. Maybe you’re concerned you may blow it like Peter.
Well, consider this. Peter’s value list changed forever when he saw the resurrected Jesus and then allowed the Holy Spirit to change his heart, attitude, and yes, his value system. The “Peter” in the Gospels sure looks different from the “Peter” in the book of Acts.
Let’s place a challenge before ourselves today and regularly in life. May His presence of loyalty push higher in our lives the virtue of loyalty.