Robin Reflections: Day 3

It rained yesterday, May 31st, almost all day.  It started yesterday evening and rained all through the night.  That means our robin friend got soaked.  The picture below was one of the few pictures that came out.  Most of them were dark gray and blurry.  Several were completely black.  Perhaps I should have published one one of those images instead because it may have captured that dreary day more appropriately.

What kinds of thoughts were going through this robin's mind?  Why did she choose to do what she was doing?  I began to wonder what it would be like to sit in a nest, in the rain, all night long.  If I were a robin, I would imagine it would be easy (or easier) if I could sit on the nest with a friend, when the sun is shinning, the weather is pleasant and you have a balmy breeze in your hair, er ... feathers.  But I had to ask myself, would I have the courage that it would take to sit on the nest through a storm?

Mrs. robin got me thinking.  It is easy for me to do what is right when others are watching, especially when I am surrounded by family or friends that are like-minded.  However, when the snapshot of my life is out of focus, when it is dark, cold, and I am alone, during those moments, do I have the integrity to do those things that God has called me to do?

That robin's actions inspire me.  She is single-minded in her diligence and focused on what is really important.  In a word, faithful.

One of my favorite songs is "Find Us Faithful", by Steve Green.  Tears came to my eyes when I reread the lyrics.  The words brought back so many memories.  The guy that was sitting in the seat next to me on the bus where I am writing this posting, probably thought I was nuts!  The song captures my thoughts so much better than I could express:

After all our hopes and dreams have come and gone
And our children sift through all we've left behind
May the clues that they discover and the memories they uncover
Become the light that leads them to the road we each must find

Oh may all who come behind us find us faithful
May the fire of our devotion light their way
May the footprints that we leave
Lead them to believe
And the lives we live inspire them to obey
Oh may all who come behind us find us faithful

The reward for our robin's efforts?  Three eggs.  The reward for our faithfulness?  A life that counts for something more than just the accumulation of stuff.  In addition, eternal life is not a shabby fringe benefit.

Since I was a teenager, I have been the kind of person who has wanted to do something "big" for God.  I have often said that when I retire, that my desire is to do something truly significant for the Kingdom.  I have also said that if I only had some serious monetary resources, I could impact a great number of people.

Evidently, the quantity of our faithful deeds must not be as significant as whether or not we are simply faithful.  Luke 16:10 says, "One who is faithful in a very little is also faithful in much, and one who is dishonest in a very little is also dishonest in much."  From this verse, I must ask myself, "What has God already given me, for which I need to faithful?"

Similar to a precious gem, faithfulness is something that is rare.  In Proverbs 20:6, Solomon, the wisest man who ever lived said, "Many claim to have unfailing love, but a faithful person who can find?"  In addition, faithfulness is something that becomes even more difficult to find in the end times.  Jesus, perhaps thinking out loud about the last days said, "... when the Son of Man comes, will He find faith on the earth?" Luke 18:8

I don't know about you, but when the Lord returns, I want to be found faithful.  I want to be at my post doing the things God has given me to do.  It would be my greatest reward to have my Lord say to me, "... Well done, good and faithful servant; you have been faithful over a few things, ....  Enter into the joy of your lord."  Matthew 25:23  That's what I want for my life.  The applause of God, even if I end up sitting on a nest.