The Jewel // Little Things Part III

I always enjoy perusing a jeweler’s glass-encased cabinet full of glittering gemstones. Sapphires, rubies, emeralds, diamonds. They glitter and sparkle under the bright lights, drawing attention to their beauty. Their rarity and value make them treasured and sought-after possessions. 

My grandfather used to say that consistency is a jewel.

In modern society, consistency is indeed a jewel. It is exceedingly rare -- at least in the circles I frequent. To find someone who is actually consistent in thought and deed is like finally finding a diamond deep in the heart of an African mine. 

Think about it.

When was the last time you met someone who lived up to their word – someone you knew you could trust?

Do you regularly disregard what certain people say because you know they don’t mean it and their lives don’t reflect it?

Or, how often are Christians accused of hypocrisy?

Not surprisingly, the Internet has a great deal to do with the lack of inconsistency in modern times, simply because it offers its users a place to project any image they want. It is disheartening to read Christian blogs filled with spiritual encouragement and models of purity and then to stumble upon the author’s Twitter or Pinterest account and find endorsements of images, behaviors, and words that are far from the standards of Philippians 4:8. Another example is people who get zero channels on their television and claim to be free from the influence of modern television programming but have Netflix or Hulu accounts where they watch any show or movie they wish. And I am sure we have all run across those individuals who spout off wisdom and advice but seem to inevitably do the opposite of what they are encouraging us to do.

In the “olden days,” a man often only had his word of honor to offer another person as a guarantee. If he went against his word, then he garnered the reputation of being untrustworthy. In the legal realm, the underlying principle of contract law is that each party will hold to its part of the agreement. The parties of every contract enter under this obligation of good faith.

We have all probably had the proverb “actions speak louder than words” quoted at us from the time we could walk and talk. Do we really understand what it means or actually practice it in our daily lives?

One characteristic of my role models is consistency. I admire people whose lives are in harmony with what they believe and what they say. They abide by the principles of honesty and integrity in each facet of their lives. They respect each person they interact with, regardless of circumstance, race, creed, education, or religion. They don’t condemn a behavior in someone else and then go out and practice that behavior themselves. They confess when they have made a mistake and seek to rectify their wrongs. They are eager to learn and strive for something higher because they are discontent with mediocrity. They are the same person in their own home as they are out in public. They seek the good of the other person, endeavoring to live out Philippians 2:1-15 in all areas of life.

Image via Pinterest.

Our family is often on stage as part of our music ministry, and in many ways, what happens offstage before and after the concert is more important than the performance itself. Singing about Christ’s love onstage and then arguing or tearing each other down offstage is not only inconsistent but a poor witness for the Saviour we are representing. It is sobering to think about, and we strive to keep each other accountable in this way.

Image via Pinterest.

I find that I often begin evaluating an individual’s trustworthiness from the moment I first meet them. To me, trust is a mammoth part of any relationship. I have to have something concrete to build that relationship on. When I am getting to know someone who regularly says she’ll call me back and never does, is usually late when we get together, or rarely does what she says she will do, then it is not as easy for me to trust that person. Almost inadvertently, I find myself transferring their unreliability in such little things to bigger things, like whether or not I will trust them with a confidence.

(Now, mind you, none of this is to condemn anyone personally. We would all admit, deep down inside, that we have been inconsistent at some time or another.)

Someone once said, “What you are in public is your reputation, what you are in private is your character.” We often focus on how we will look to others in public and then “let everything go” when we are alone or in our private homes.

Image via Pinterest.

The problem is that both arenas are seen by One who matters far more than any other human could. God is all-knowing and everywhere at all time. 

He knows if you’re saying one thing and doing another. 

He knows the difference between genuinely caring for someone or simply using him or her to further your own ends. 

He knows when you claim to be doing ministry or service for Him but your motives are selfish and self-aggrandizing. 

He knows when you go to church on Sunday and then curse or gossip about your co-workers during the week. Both the Israelites and the Pharisees were rebuked for inconsistencies between their words or behaviors and the condition of their heart.

“Wherefore the Lord said, ‘Forasmuch as this people draw near Me

with their mouth, and with their lips do honour Me, but have

removed their heart far from Me.’”

 – Isaiah 29:13

“[Jesus] answered and said unto them, ‘Well hath Isaiah

prophesied of you hypocrites, as it is written, This people

honoureth Me with their lips, but their heart is far from Me.’”

 – Mark 7:6

Honesty and integrity stem not only from proper beliefs but also from consistency in thought, word, and deed. Not only do you know what the right course of action is, but you actually do it, regardless of who is watching. 

Image via Pinterest.

People will trust you if they know your words and actions will not and do not contradict each other. Cowboy wisdom says, “The best sermons are lived, not preached.” As a Christian, you are representing Christ to every single person you come in contact with, and you will either point them to Christ or push them away with the message you send.

Image via Pinterest.

(To see the rest of this series: Part I and Part II.)