Commitment and Loyalty

 

One of my illustrations to share with those in my seminars during the discussion of “Commitment” and “Loyalty” is a personal story to make my point and it’s pretty special to talk about it again today with you.

When I  asked my wife to marry me, (thankfully, she said yes!) we began to talk about wedding rings. I bought her a very nice diamond which was an estate piece. She was thrilled with it. When she asks, “what kind of ring do you want?” To my surprise I immediately gave Gina this answer…” I don’t care what the style is, but it should be wide enough for you to take it to a jeweler for him to engrave a short statement inside it.

For the life of me, I don’t know where my response was coming from even as it was coming out of my mouth. I have never heard of anyone else doing it, it just hit me at that moment to give her these instructions.

 “Have the jeweler engrave “I am a servant of Jesus Christ; I am a servant to Gina”.                             (At this point during my speech, all the ladies in the audience go “Ahhhhhhh”)

Every day, and sometimes several times a day I would see that ring on my hand and be reminded of the commitment I made to her and to my Master.

In this throw away and recycling society, loyalty and commitment is an old-fashioned idea. Be it to employees, employers or agreements, people what want they want disregarding an oath or promise they have made.

We live in a world of ME, what I want and what will make ME happy.. Sadly, many people today don’t even get married, they just live with each other and suggest marriage is just a piece of paper. Fathers will walk away from their responsibilities to their children in the pursuit of THEIR happiness. People seem to have no problems walking away from a commitment to God and assume He’ll be ok with it..In almost every case, they are eternally wrong.

So, can we turn this destructive behavior around? Probably not but there are some things we can do individually and corporately.

1.       If homes won’t teach it or model it, “Character” issues should be given to our kids and employees through intentional programs like. “Character Counts” and business ethics programs as reminders of acceptable behavior.

2.       Boys’ clubs, girls’ clubs, sports programs and coaches and mentoring programs with adults who have a life of commitment and loyalty demonstrating what it looks like I real life.

3.       Religion won’t get you to heaven, but all of them have morale principles by which humans can flourish. Get in the habit with your family to attend.

It’s important to remember that this isn’t just about romantic relationships, but about every bond we form in life. Whether it’s with family, friends, colleagues, or even our communities, the values of commitment and loyalty are the glue that holds meaningful relationships together. These values cultivate trust, foster respect, and inspire others to follow by example.

Commitment is not a feeling that comes and goes with convenience; it is an act of will, a conscious decision to honor your word and to stand firm, even when the winds of life grow fierce. Loyalty, in turn, is the shield that protects relationships from the corrosion of doubt and selfishness. When both are practiced together, they create a foundation strong enough to endure the challenges and trials of life.

As I reflect on this, I often think of mentors, leaders, and even historical figures who have embodied these principles. Their legacies remind us that commitment and loyalty are not just personal virtues, but also societal needs. Imagine the difference it would make if more people resolved to be unwavering in their promises and steadfast in their loyalties.

Today is my wedding anniversary. As I woke up this morning thinking of my wife who is now waiting for me in Heaven, I recall the letter she wrote me during her last days on this earth saying, “Don’t be sad because we will be together again someday.” 

I am so very grateful for the assurance of the promise Gina and I shared and that hope we had/have and could rest on. And I’m grateful that by God’s Grace I proved my commitment and loyalty of that statement engraved in my wedding ring so many years ago.

On this anniversary I remember the power embodied through commitment and loyalty to this day as I travel this life’s journey to ………   Finish Well!