A long obedience...

"The essential thing is that there should be long obedience in the same direction; there thereby results, and has always resulted in the long run, something which has made life worth living." - Friedrich Nietzsche

There's an advantage to getting older and it is the ability to look back. ("they" also say that you can tell when you're old because you look back now instead of looking forward like you do when you're "young"!)

I'd found some fifteen year old journals yesterday and it was like discovering old photographs - a glimpse into a time far removed from the present.

We are pilgrims on this journey of life; disciples of Christ for the long haul - a long obedience is necessary for it is a long journey and as I read through those pages I realized the stages of my own journey of faith- amazed both at where I was and where I am. These books though told me another truth - a truth more valuable than the impetus of my having a long obedience; they spoke to me of God's enduring faithfulness.

We can be obedient because we can count on God to be faithful.
In 2 Timothy 2 there's this fascinating passage - look at the parallels:

If we die with Him,
we shall also live with Him.

If we endure hardship,
we will reign with Him.

If we deny Him,
He will deny us.

If we are unfaithful...
(go ahead, what does the pattern indicate that it should say here?)
Of course is would be something like; If we are unfaithful, He is unfaithful to us - He has no obligation to us - We are on our own, You are no longer my concern - So long !!

2 Timothy 2:10 "If we are unfaithful, He remains faithful, for He cannot deny himself.

We are called to a long obedience, to keep walking the narrow path until it leads us right through the pearly gates. We can be obedient over the long haul because He remains faithful, no matter what. For as it is written, "He died for sinners that he might bring us safely home to God". I Peter 3:18

Be the one who, years from now, will be farther down the same path of obedience; however it twists and turns, however how difficult the terrain, because He remains faithful, so can we.