Being Like Clockwork

Big Ben, the world's most famous clock is located at the north end of the Palace of Westminster in London. The structure has three distinct parts: the Elizabeth Tower, the Great Bell, and the Great Clock. Big Ben—which was the original name for the clock's bell—has been generally accepted as the name of all three parts. When completed in 1859, its clock was the largest and most accurate four-faced striking and chiming clock in the world. Big Ben is the largest of five bells. The smaller four quarter bells chime at 15, 30 and 45 minutes past the hour and just before Big Ben tolls on the hour. The clock's movement is famous for its reliability. . Reliable means to have the quality of being trustworthy or of performing consistently well. One thing that we should strive for in our relationships, obligations, and commitments is to be seen as reliable.

Have you ever heard of someone who does something very routinely or habitually as being like clockwork? You can expect them to do it over and over. As it pertains to that event, they are seen as reliable. Here are some ways we can be like clockwork in our lives

1. The surest way for this to be accomplished is by honoring and keeping our word. We should never give our word lightly. Our speech and communication should be consistent with our character. Another way to think of someone who is reliable is “faithful”. God honors faith and rewards faithfulness.

2. Become a person who lives by character. Character is developed over time. It has been said that character is what we do when no one is looking. I would add that it is also doing what is right even when it is hard or inconvenient. Our demonstrated character reveals if we are reliable.

3. Lastly, don’t be a person who makes excuses. When we make mistakes or don’t come through on our commitments, own it. Recently a riff came between a friend and me. He had asked me to do something for him. I gave a vague answer, not yes or no. My friend assumed that my answer was a yes and was disappointed when I did not do it. When I replayed the conversation in my head, I realize that I had actually given a non-committal committal. I was wrong and I owned my mistake and apologized. A person who constantly makes excuses will never be seen as reliable. #OwnIt #NoExcuses

Who in our life do we see as reliable? How have they demonstrated this character trait?