Believe it or not, this week, the remind{h}er podcast celebrates ONE YEAR of existence. This time last year, I had absolutely no idea what was in store for this little podcast, let alone how it would fare in what, at the time, was turning out to be a tumultuous year, to say the least. I had hopes and dreams for what it could be and how it could serve you, and in many ways, some of those hopes have been realized. But there is one component of crafting each episode each week for a year now that, well, surprised me a bit.

In the beginning stages, I naively thought I would have it all organized and planned out and that everything would go according to that plan. If you know me, you know that’s usually how I prefer to operate in the world. And as you might imagine, in a year like 2020, any semblance of a plan quickly flew out the window. But what I discovered in the absence of a plan was the gift a new spiritual practice. 

Now, when I say “spiritual practice,” it might sound a little wonky. Or maybe it conjures up images of meditation, scripture reading, prayer, fasting, all the classic spiritual disciplines. While I’m certainly not an expert in spiritual practices (although, I am learning a ton about them right now in the classes I’m taking), the working definition I’m beginning to use is this: a regular, consistent practice that draws me closer to the heart of Jesus, that allows me to pay attention to God’s presence in my life, and that puts me in a position for the Holy Spirit to work.

It wasn't part of the plan, but that is exactly what this podcast has become. 

While I would love to feel more prepared, each week I find that God meets me on the blank page. I pray about what might serve you best. I reflect on what God is teaching me and how God is working in my life. And with a whole lot of God’s help (a WHOLE LOT), I do my best to craft a reminder of who God is - of God’s presence and faithfulness - and of who God calls each of us to be in the middle of it all.

I don’t claim to do it perfectly - trust me, there have been plenty of episodes where I wish I would have said something different or had more time to edit, plenty of apprehension with how permanent each episode feels (once it’s uploaded, there’s no going back!), and some messages I just didn’t feel good about. But through all of that, I’m learning what it means to be dependent, to be vulnerable, to be obedient. And what I’ve also discovered over and over again through this podcast is the importance of - and the beauty in - continuing to show up.

Really, it’s become a practice teaching me about faithfulness. I’m learning that faithfulness is something we’re called to because it’s a big part of who God is. It’s an important fruit of the Spirit. However, in many way, in our current culture and in my own life, it’s become a lost art.

I’m well-acquainted with what it means to quit. I mean, just to give you an example, when I was five, I quit ballet because I couldn’t do a full split on the first day our teacher asked us to try. And while I could go on and on about similar situations in my life, I’ll suffice it to say, that trend has generally continued for me. When the going gets tough, I quit. But I’m learning that might not be a trend we’re called to.

In his book, God Has a Name, pastor and author John Mark Comer highlights this trend. He writes:

“When life gets hard, so many of us just bail. When it’s no longer easy or fun or novel, when it gets difficult or uncomfortable or boring, we just leave. We leave jobs, cities, churches, friendships, marriages. We just cut ties and move on.” 

But John Mark also highlights this fact. He continues:

“God’s not like that. God is faithful.”

When talking about faithfulness, that is the key. We read about God’s faithfulness all throughout Scripture. We see how extraordinary God’s commitment to God’s people is. Really, that is the whole story - God being relentlessly committed to sticking with us through thick and thin. In Lamentations 3:21-23, we read:

But this I call to mind,

    and therefore I have hope: 

The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases,[b]

    his mercies never come to an end;

they are new every morning;

    great is your faithfulness.

This passage reminds us that God is faithful through and through, to the core. And our faithfulness is possible only because of God’s. God continues to show up, continues to meet us, continues to be with us, continues to walk with us, working in us and through us and for us. And it’s that faithfulness that invites us to keep practicing. It’s that faithfulness that inspires us to keep showing up.

To keep showing up for our commitments - in our marriages, for our kids, our friendships, our callings, our integrity, in our churches, our jobs, and our communities. And we keep showing up for our faith, its growth and cultivation, because we know our faith depends on the One who is always faithful.

Now, let me make sure I’m clear here. Sometimes, being faithful does look like leaving. Stepping away. Saying goodbye. Ultimately, our faithfulness and loyalty lies with Jesus and sometimes, we are called away to new things. God doesn’t shy away from leading us out of our comfort zones. And let me also say, if abuse or exploitation are part of the equation, you are most definitely not called to stay.   

But, if we call it quits at the first sign of difficulty, discouragement, disagreement, discomfort or disappointment, then are we really reflecting God’s faithfulness in the world around us? And could it be that those very things are what help us grow? 

I’m learning that faithfulness is rarely a quick fix. Being faithful to the way of Jesus was never promised to be easy or comfortable. And so for me, faithfulness looks a lot like practice. It’s not always about hitting a milestone or reaching a goal every time. Sometimes practice doesn’t make perfect; sometimes practice simply leads to good, slow, steady progress. It takes time, trust, and a commitment to just keep showing up. 

And in doing so, we just might find that, as John Mark Comer says,

“…the best things in life are a result of faithfulness.”

So today, as we mark one year of the remind{h}er podcast, I’m grateful. I’m celebrating and remembering God’s faithfulness, for the ways God has used this podcast to meet each of us right where we are, week in and week out. May God’s faithfulness in our lives inspire us to keep showing up as we continue to be reminders in the world around us.