The biblical term here is Faithfulness. While our faithfulness to God, and more importantly, His faithfulness to us are topics of significant importance and detailed study, I would like to focus on the dependability side of faithfulness. The emphasis here is on our dependability to others, our duties, and our integrity.
The Word of God is full of examples of ordinary people who God used in extraordinary ways because of, among other things, they were dependable! The world today is longing for people who will do what they say they will do. For fifteen years I worked in the wholesale side of the construction business, selling construction material to contractors. Never has dependability been more in demand. Customers wanted contractors that would actually show up, or at least return a phone call! Contractors wanted employees that would come to work on time, take some responsibility in their jobs, and would not show up to work with baggage from the night before – like a hangover. The Contractors also wanted suppliers who would stock the things they needed and take the time to make sure their orders were pulled and delivered properly. Price was by far secondary to all parties involved. Everyone was more than willing to pay more to get what they expected. However, in the construction business, as in most of life, finding someone dependable was a tall order.
The biblical example:
In the book of Genesis, Joseph was despised by his brothers and sold into slavery by them. He wound up working for Potipher in Egypt. He was a slave and a foreign one at that, yet he very quickly found himself in charge of the man’s estate. He even had attracted the eye of Potipher’s wife, and when he rejected her advances, found himself in prison as a falsely accused man. Joseph, though, quickly found himself in charge of the prison and the ‘keeper of the keys’. God’s wisdom and discernment into the dreams of those around him allowed him to be called upon by the Pharaoh of the land. There, Joseph became second in command of the entire empire. His voice and command carried much authority. While we know that God’s hand was upon him and that God was using Joseph to spare His chosen people from famine, clearly Joseph was a man that was dependable. Potipher promoted him, the prison guard promoted him, and eventually Pharaoh himself promoted him to a high position.
We can see evidence of the character of dependability in the lives of David, Moses, Esther, Nehemiah, John the Apostle, and many, many more. Each of these heroes of the faith had opportunities afforded them by because of their character. Each of these were dependable, faithful, and consistent.
Dependability is fulfilling our Responsibility
Dependability is essentially doing what you say you are going to do or are supposed to do. If you sign up to usher at your church next month, than be there every Sunday next month to fulfill your obligation. If you commit to stay with your spouse “for better and for worse” you should not run out on your relationship during the difficult times. God has given each of us certain responsibilities in our various stages of life. Dependability is simply doing them.
Dependability is tested during the difficulties
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When the going gets tough – the tough get going!
True enough! It is in the midst of the difficult times that those that are faithful and dependable continue to plug away. It’s easy to be consistent in the easy times, but it is those who stay through during the lean times that God counts as faithful!
Dependable in spite of feelings
Those who are faithful and dependable in the things of the Lord are consistent day in and day out in spite of how they may feel. Fair weather Christians are not marked by their faithfulness; but rather Christians that keep going when they are discouraged, beat down or not feeling well. Paul tells us in II Corinthians 4:8-9 We are troubled on every side, yet not distressed; we are perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not forsaken; cast down, but not destroyed.
Dependable in spite of accolades
We are indeed laying up treasure in Heaven, therefore we are not to concern ourselves over receiving accommodation here on earth. Our human nature yearns for appreciation. What we do for Christ through our faithfulness is designed to hear “Well done, thou good and faithful servant”.
As a Christian, our testimony to the world speaks volumes, so whether we are in the context of our family, our church or our community, being someone that others are able to depend upon goes a long way towards establishing rapport. Being dependable means we: do what we say we are going to do; be where we say we are going to be; go above and beyond to fulfill our obligations; and we do these things over a long period of time.
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