August 29, 2000 HERE'S MY HEART... How do you define the word "faithful"? Two definitions in Webster's Dictionary are interesting to me: (1) "giving allegiance to; (2) "having confidence in". With these two definitions in mind, at what point do you consider something (or someone) to be "faithful"? For instance... If your automobile cranks 1 out of every 4 times you turn the ignition key, is it "faithful"? If your newspaper is delivered 3 out of 7 days, would you consider the deliverer "faithful"? If your lights come on 2 out of 5 times you flip the switch, would you consider the utilities company to be "faithful"? If the plane on which you are about to fly overseas has a record of getting off the ground 1 out of every 3 times it taxis down the runway, would you consider it to be "faithful"? The answer to every question would be a resounding and emphatic "No". Then why do we not use the same "logic" when it comes to our personal relationship with God. Let's look at it from His perspective for a minute. For instance... If you only talk to Him once or twice a week, or only when you are in trouble, should He consider you "faithful"? If you only read His book, the Bible, when you have nothing else to do, or you are in a crisis, is that "faithful"? If you only share your personal relationship with Jesus with someone else once or twice in a lifetime, is that "faithful"? If you only go to church when you feel like it, or you aren't mad, or your feelings aren't hurt, or the weather is just right, or you don't have company, or only on holidays, is that "faithful"? I think we know the answer to this one, too, don't we? The Bible says, in I Corinthians 4:2, "...and above all, it is required in stewards that a man be found FAITHFUL." When Jesus comes back, or when death calls, will He find us "faithful"? I hope so. Dixie Lee Baptist Church is a cooperating Southern Baptist congregation, located in the fast-growing West Knoxville, East Loudon County area. We would love for you to visit us at any time. God bless you. -Jim Clayton, Pastor