The way of faithfulness

I have chosen the way of faithfulness: I have set my heart on your laws. – Psalm 119:30 NIV

Choices . . . we love them . . . we hate them.

Some are more consequential than others:

• Shall I have oatmeal and a smoothie for breakfast? Or a pastry and a hot drink?
• Should I follow Waze or Google Maps on my way to work?
• Should I lie about why I was late and tell my boss there was an accident on the freeway or admit that I overslept?

Some choices are hard, especially when they involve other people. There is a point in every relationship when we have to choose to love the other, even though they may have just done something that hurt us, or they may be irritating us immensely. But love is a choice. Imagine a world where everyone bailed whenever they were frustrated, bored or lacking positive feelings. When we choose faithfulness to our spouse or a friend, the relationship is strengthened and we feel secure.

The author of Psalm 119 talks about choosing to follow God. He says, “I have chosen the way of faithfulness.” That is not easy. Distractions pull us from the way of God. But the psalmist makes a determined, deliberate choice. Even when things are difficult — perhaps especially when things are difficult, he will not allow himself to be lured away from God’s path for his life.

Choosing the way of faithfulness takes resolve, courage, and strength. It may mean getting up earlier to make sure you have intentional time with God. It might be that faithfulness to God means you forgo your morning beverage for a time so that you have something to give to a colleague who is struggling financially. Faithfulness to God means we choose leisure activities that are wholesome. It means we search for ways to serve others — especially those who are suffering and have scarce resources. But it’s not all about others. When we are faithful to God, we care for the body and the emotions he gave us.

This list could go on. What does choosing the way of faithfulness look like for you?

—Kathy McMillan, MA, is director of Employee Spiritual Care for Loma Linda University Medical Center.