History.com reports that the first American first long-distance car race began in New York City in September of 1901 and ended five days later 464 miles away in Buffalo, New York. History.com also reports that the determining factor in the race was not speed or endurance, but rather reliability. The winning vehicle driven by David Bishop completed the entire trip without breaking down.
In Scripture, “faithfulness” is the word used to express “dependability.” Today’s frenetic society needs to realize that faithfulness is often a more desirable trait than speed. The parable of “The Tortoise and The Hare” demonstrates that faithfulness often results in more positive results than undisciplined speed.
Scripture teaches that God is faithful in that He has sent His promised Messiah, and that He will return one day for those whose names are written in The Lamb’s Book of Life.
You and I are also called upon to be faithful. Faithfulness in life means that others can depend upon us. We will do the right thing for the right reasons. Fathers are depended upon to set Christ-like examples for children and to provide for their spiritual, emotional, and physical needs. Mothers are depended upon to nurture and teach children how to live effectively in this world.
Today’s parents often seem to pre-occupied with themselves to care for their children properly. I remember my own Mother who worked at a secular job, then washed, ironed, and folded clothes so my sisters and I could have clean neat clothes to wear. She used a ringer type washing machine which required that each piece be hand fed through the ringer. Yet, she always had a little time for us. I’m amazed at today’s Mother’s who have such labor saving devices, yet never seem to have time for their children. Faithfulness requires doing what needs to be done, even though one is tired.
Father’s who work hard and come home, only to be ensconced in their favorite chair with their beverage of choice until time for supper, and then bed are hardly examples of faithfulness. Boys need Dad to play ball, hunt, fish, and just spend time with them. That time together is when principles of life are caught as well as taught.
David Bishop’s Panhard Auto only averaged a speed of 15 miles per hour, but it completed the course. Mom and Dad, perhaps it is time to engage in some preventative maintenance with your children. Preparing them for the long journey so that they, too, might complete the course without breaking down.
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