All right, I know that this picture is of a potato.  A potato is definitely not a fruit, and we are talking about fruitful living.  But, the more I delved into the word “faithfulness,” the more I realized that faithfulness is a rare fruit.  I am reminded of Proverbs 20:6 (NIV):

“Many claim to have unfailing love,

but a faithful person who can find?”

It’s hard to be faithful.  Being faithful is kind of like “eating your veggies.”  Sometimes, you have to do what’s good for you, rather than what you like.  And nowadays, this world is all about instant gratification — we leave behind our jobs, our marriages, our churches, and sometimes even our faith because we grow tired of “eating our veggies.”  We’d rather eat candy.

A faithful person is dependable, reliable, sincere, loyal.  A faithful person keeps promises.  A faithful person is trustworthy and true.  A faithful person stands on principle.

The fruit of faithfulness springs from faith in a God who is unchanging.  Because a faithful person is firmly persuaded that God is Sovereign, this fruitilicious individual will stay the course — even if the road ahead is filled with potholes and hazardous turns.

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  Dear brothers and sisters,

we can’t help but thank God for you,

because your faith is flourishing

and your love for one another is growing.

We proudly tell God’s other churches

about your endurance and faithfulness

in all the persecutions and hardships you are suffering.

 And God will use this persecution to show his justice

and to make you worthy of his Kingdom,

for which you are suffering.

II Thessalonians 1:3-5

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Q4U:  Do you agree that a faithful man is hard to find? How do you cultivate faithfulness?

Thank you for joining me for Day 25!