Loyalty

Loyalty is the first character of leadership, one of the of the most common definitions of Loyalty that come to mind is devotion. That means that no matter what you are part of the team, down for anything, even when things get dirty you can be counted on, depended on. The bible gives a specific name for this character trait: Faithfulness. It is the quality of being true to your word, and your commitments. I’ts like when you make a promise, you keep your promise. You do what you have pledged to do, and you believe with all your heart that you will remain steadfast, committed to finishing that thing. You choose to become that dedicated person, a man or woman who can be trusted. Another way of defining loyalty would be to say that your faithful, that your true to completing your responsibilities, and that others consider you to be reliable.

Faithfulness is one of the characteristics of God's ethical nature. It denotes the firmness or constancy of God in his relationship with men, especially with His people. Faithfulness is one aspect of God's truth and of His unchangeableness. God is true not only because He is really God in contrast to all that is not God, and because He realizes the idea of Godhead, but also because He is constant or faithful in keeping His promises, and therefore is worthy of trust (TRUTH). God, likewise, is unchangeable in His ethical nature. The Scripture often connects with God's goodness and mercy, and also with His constancy in reference to His covenant promises, and this is what the Old Testament means by the Faithfulness of God. There are many scripture references of faithfulness. Now I will Illustrate the wolf as an example of Gods most loyal creatures.

As pack animals, wolves work together to ensure every member has access to prey and is safe from predators. Each pack is led by a male and female pair who mate for life and share leadership responsibilities. When new pups are born in the wild, pack members care for the newborns while the mother hunts. This unwavering commitment was part of the inspiration behind our name: Render Loyalty. Just as adult wolves fiercely defend their families, we work every day to render loyalty to vulnerable species across the globe. This nurturing and loyal temperament sharply contrasts with the popular imagery of wolves as dangerous aggressors. Wolves are inherently peaceful and avoid aggression when possible, easily forming bonds with other pack members. Wolf pups raised by humans exhibit these same traits toward their human pack.

Although wolves are predators and show aggression when hunting prey or protecting pack members, the false stereotype of villainous wolves is exacerbated by the ongoing conflict between American ranchers and wild wolves. Wolves understand their place within the pack, and they follow the rules. They will do anything, even if it means sacrificing. Wolves work together to achieve the common goal, why else do you think that sports teams use them as mascot ? Its because they are the fierce ultimate players. Wolves live in some of the most extreme environments in the world. Wolves, they don’t just survive, they thrive. They make the most of the resources they have available and accept the situation they are in. Wolves have been found living in more places in the world than any other mammal, apart from humans obviously.

Humans can also live in tough environments but (in some cases) yet if we don’t moan, and complain about it. Wolves also have respect for their elders:  the strict hierarchy in a wolf pack means that the young ones have a great respect for their older ones. These youngsters do as they are told and although they might challenge their parents occasionally they know exactly where they stand. I am only 43, but today’s generation could learn a thing or two from watching how wolf cubs behave for real. Another lesson we can learn from wolves is how to communicate. Humans also need to learn how to communicate better, like why do we make things so darn hard right? You may not know this but wolves are expert communicators, able to direct an entire pack with a howl, snarl, growl, look or using their body language.

Wolves also use scent and touch to communicate to members of the pack and rival packs. The communication between wolf pack members seems effortless. When you watch them hunt they just seem to know what to do, where to be and how to help each other. It’s what makes them such successful predators; they are very resourceful and they are not wasteful. Humans should take this example and only take what is needed. Another reason why I chose to use wolves as an example is because like humans, they get cast out of the “pack” sometimes. In society people sometimes are disregarded, or thought unimportant, or worthless. The wolf sometimes can be forced out of a pack by the dominant males, giving them no choice but to fend for themselves. They may suffer a life of loneliness or they could eventually be accepted back into the pack.

Still the wolf shows affection to each other by licking, grooming, nuzzling and even nibbling one another. They are not afraid to show affection when they feel it or a pack member needs it. Life gets so intense and we are often moving so fast that we forget to show our partners affection. I wish to encourage you to show real loyalty: True loyalty is more than just words, it will result in actions Take time out of your busy schedule to actually be with your partner and give them some much needed affection. The bible says in Matthew 26:33-35.  But Peter told him, “Even if everyone else turns against you, I certainly won’t!” Jesus told him, “I tell you with certainty, before a rooster crow’s this very night, you will deny me three times.” Peter told him, “Even if I have to die with you, I will never deny you!” And all the disciples said the same thing.

Proverbs 21:21 says: He who pursues righteousness and loyalty Finds life, righteousness and honor. When we look at God, he keeps His gracious covenant of loyalty for a thousand generations with those who love Him and keep His commands. Like proverbs says there is one who sticks closer than a brother, or who is truly reliable. One of my most favorite scripture references is found in the gospel of John, chapter 15, verse 13. There is no greater love than to lay down one’s life for one’s friends. Even the US Military, and might I mention by default many of them do not truly follow Christ. Yet this one principle is popular with all branches, and widely used today. To conclude this character sketch I am going to show you a few illustrations of the grey wolf, which I believe is one of the most beautiful wolves on earth, …….

The last portion of this character sketch will be live training, an outdoor training exercise on how to achieve loyalty. I strongly believe that to learn loyalty then teams must become challenged. A situation that physical, emotional, mental, and spiritual vigorous to the point where individuals have to rely apon each other to understand people, and purpose towards Christ and each other.