LOYALTY
The courage to stand by someone, or something, no matter what stands against you.
It Rings True!
A ring is a promise that surrounds you. It is just as faithful to remind you who you are, as it is to tell others where you stand. And it doesn’t get lost when times get tough, nor does it slip away because the weather is unfair. And it will not remove itself in any situation – be it embarrassment, unpopularity, or a flat-out fight! A ring’s whole purpose is to stand by you in a never-ending circle that always comes back to faithfully reminding everyone where you stand.
LOYALTY’S MOTTO:
“Stand By It!”
Dog: Canis lupus familiaris
Can you think of any better animal to represent loyalty than a dog? The reason we know the dog as “Man’s best friend” is because of its loyalty! Dogs have a sensitivity about them. They seem to know if someone is good or bad, vulnerable or mean, trustworthy or not.
There is a story of one dog named Hatchi who loved his master very much, and everyday Hatchi would walk his master to the train station, where his master went to work. Every day, when his master’s train arrived home the dog would be there loyally waiting for his master and they would walk home together. Then one day, unfortunately Hatchi’s master died while he was at work, and so when the train arrived to the waiting dog his master was not on it. This did not stop the loyal dog from waiting. He knew that his beloved master came back to that train station, and so he stood dutifully at his post waiting for his master who would never show up. The dog did not quite understand, but his loyalty was a marvel to everyone at the train station – so much, that when he eventually died, still waiting loyally for his master, they made a statue in his honor!
Where is the Wisdom in Loyalty?
“A man of many companions may come to ruin, but there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother.” Proverbs 18:24
“Many a man proclaims his own steadfast love, but a faithful man who can find?”
Proverbs 20:6
“Like the cold of snow in the time of harvest is a faithful messenger to those who send him; he refreshes the soul of his masters.” Proverbs 25:13
“The heart of her husband trusts in her, and he will have no lack of gain.”
Proverbs 31:11
“…the weightier matters of the law: justice, and mercy and faithfulness.”
Matthew 23:23
“Greater love has no one than this, that someone lay down his life for his friends.” John 15:13