The Emotion of Loyalty
The CEO of Salesforce.com, Marc Benioff, once said in an interview, "Loyalty is dead." He made this statement as a reference to the millennial generation.
Customer experience strategist Andrew Park has said, "For [millenials, trust and loyalty are] a combination of head and heart, intellect and emotion." Loyalty in the 21st century is no longer simply a head choice, or a choice made based on a predecessor's recommendation, or even a choice made based on a "good cause." For loyalty to be won in the life of a millennial, companies have researched and found they are required to provide more. More information, more story, more relationship, more facts, more testimonials and more communication.
When reading in 2 Samuel, I was struck by the profundity and clarity of David's loyalty to his word and to what was right. He chose loyalty his oath before God. He chose to remain loyal to Jonathan over his emotion and over vengeance.
2 Samuel 9:1 says, "One day, David thought, 'I wonder if any of Saul's family are still alive. If they are, I will be kind to them, because I made a promise to Jonathan.'"
David had every reason to write off, and to walk away from the oath he had made years prior to his friend, who was now dead. David was hunted down, chased after, his life was on the line because of the anger that Saul held toward him – yet David was able to set aside his emotion, his desires and the facts. He was able to carry out his promise.
I am certain if I were David, I would have danced around the notion of carrying out my oath, because let's face it – Jonathan would never know if he remained true to it or not, he was already dead. Maybe I would have talked myself out of embracing Saul's family. Maybe I would have seen the death of most of Saul's family as a "get out of jail free card."
On the other hand, if I was able to set aside my emotions long enough to go through with my end of the bargain and embrace Mephibosheth as David did, I probably would have done so passive aggressively. I probably would have reminded Mephibosheth that it was because of my kindness he was being embraced, and that he really was an outsider even when he was here on the inside. I would make him uncomfortable so he would make his own choice to leave. This passive aggressive behavior would encourage his choice to leave – allowing me to "look good" and him to look "a fool" walking away from a good opportunity.
David, a man after God's own heart, made many mistakes, just as I have. But his heart for loyalty, his heart to stay true to an oath that he made, to do what was right, regardless of what was done to him, has caused pause in my life.
I must wrestle with these questions, and I invite you to wrestle with them as well.
How quick am I to go back on my word, on a promise I have made, when no one is watching? How quickly will I abandon my oaths to others when they have not held up their end of the bargain?
And finally, maybe the most difficult question to process: is my loyalty to God subject to the wavering of my emotions, intellect, head and heart? Or am I a loyal believer because I trust in his unwavering faithfulness, and because of who He is. God holds up his end of every oath regardless of whether I choose to stay in the game with him. His word does not bend and change when I turn my back on him or chose my own path or break my promise to him. He is sure and steady. Solid and steadfast. He breaks chains and keeps covenants. He is a loyal father.
— Stephanie Winslow, author of Ascent to Hope: The Rugged Climb from Fear to Faith and business coach @ Blind Spot Consultants, writes to arm others with support and encourage Christian families struggling with addiction to let go of fear and find peace in personal relationships with Christ. Mrs. Winslow holds a MA degree in Higher Education from Geneva College, Beaver Falls, PA. She graduated from Ohio Wesleyan University, Delaware, OH, with a degree in Spanish. She is certified as a Faith and Health Ambassador through the Faith and Health Connection. Stephanie resides in St. Louis, MO with her husband and two daughters.