Faithfulness is like a spiritual fiber

As we journey through this spring season, noticing the newness and growth brought by God in our surroundings, I reflect on the Spirit’s fruit—faithfulness from Galatians 5:22-23. Paul’s use of the term “fruit” here illustrates what naturally flows from our lives when the Spirit is at work. Like a tree produces an apple packed with water, carbohydrates, fiber, vitamins, minerals, antioxidants, and phytonutrients. The Spirit produces characteristics like love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control in us. Though this fruit is cultivated within us, it helps others to see God’s reflection in us.

If I were to compare faithfulness to any nutrient in an apple, it would be fiber. Fiber provides consistent support by aiding digestion and maintaining steady energy levels, much like how faithfulness involves a constant, reliable commitment over time. Just as fiber keeps the body running smoothly, faithfulness through the Spirit ensures our relationship with God remains strong and consistent as we navigate this challenging world.

Unfailing Faithfulness of Christ

The ultimate example of faithfulness is Christ’s crucifixion, who faced His Father’s wrath for our sins. We learn such faithfulness from Him because He remains faithful even when we are faithless. After all, He cannot deny Himself (1 Timothy 2:13). This is a characteristic of God! During His earthly ministry, Jesus commended individuals like the Centurion (Matthew 8:10), the Canaanite Woman (Matthew 15:28), the woman with an alabaster jar (Luke 7:50), and the blind man (Mark 10:52) for their unwavering faith in His power. While the Bible gives examples of many more faithful people, this week I am moved by Hannah’s faithfulness in asking for a child, with the promise to dedicate him to God for his entire life.

Hannah’s remarkable faithfulness

1 Samuel 1 tells us that Elkanah was married to Hannah and Peninnah. Peninnah had multiple children, who consistently ridiculed Hannah for her barrenness. Though this treatment brought her much grief, Hannah did not become bitter. Instead, she turned to God in prayer. She promised God that if He granted her a son, she would dedicate him to the Lord’s service forever. Eli, mistaking her silent prayer for drunkenness, when corrected by Hannah, said, “Go in peace, and may the God of Israel grant you what you have asked of Him” (v. 17). She left with her spirit lifted and soon her prayer was answered when God gave her a son. She named him Samuel, “Because I asked the Lord for him” (v. 20b).

Though Samuel was her only child who saved her from ridicule and shame, Hannah remained true to her promise. She took time to nurture and care for her son until he was weaned. Then she took him to the temple and dedicated him to the Lord. Simply amazing!

Interestingly, God’s faithfulness did not stop with Samuel. He blessed Hannah with more children afterwards, making her a living testament to the fruit of the Spirit—faithfulness that inspires us today. She reminds us that, no matter how difficult our circumstances, God sees, hears, and rewards our faithfulness when we approach His heart, trusting His power. Her faithfulness did not just bless her—it also impacted Samuel’s life, who remained faithful to God his entire life.

Faithfulness to the end

Let us pray that the Spirit would produce such faithfulness in us that it not only blesses us but also those around us. Let us pray that the Spirit also strengthens our faithfulness that transcends every trial, so that whether we journey through valleys, climb mountains, walk crooked roads, or endure storms, we remain committed to Christ. Hearing His words echoed in our hearts, “…Be faithful, even to the point of death, and I will give you life as your victor’s crown”(Rev. 2:10). If our end goal is to receive the victor’s crown, knowing that it requires unwavering faith in the face of hardship, then let’s be faithful to God, who is always faithful to us.