The Loyalty Code!

Have you been able to answer the question ‘Who Has Your Back’? If yes, that’s great news but if otherwise, you should because it is critical to your success and growth in the journey of life.

Just as Jonathan swore loyalty to David, and their relationship moved from friendship to brotherhood, it is important to identify those who would stand by you through the best and worst seasons in your life.

“Loyalty cannot be blueprinted. It cannot be produced on an assembly line. In fact, it cannot be manufactured at all, for its origin is the human heart – the center of self-respect and human dignity.”

Maurice R. Franks

Once you have been able to identify the loyal people in your corner, you have to be committed to them in return. Loyalty wears out faster when it is one-sided and you shouldn’t be caught on the short side of it.

I came across a true life story recently about a dog and his owner that expresses my point in this piece.

The story began in 1850, when John Gray came to the city to be a gardener. Unable to find work, he joined the police force as a night watchman.

Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends.

John 15:13 (KJV)

To keep him company through the long nights, he would take his small Skye Terrier named Bobby with him on his rounds. They became part of the living landscape of the city night after night for years. John later contracted tuberculosis and died in the Winter. What happened next became legend in the city.

Bobby, the Skye terrier, would not leave his master’s grave. Except for accepting midday meals from the kind people in the area, Bobby stayed there day and night with his master. The caretaker tried on many occasions to evict the dog, but to no avail. Finally, he provided the little dog with a shelter by the grave. Until his death fourteen years later, the citizens cared for Bobby while he guarded his master’s body.

Know therefore that the LORD thy God, he is God, the faithful God, which keepeth covenant and mercy with them that love him and keep his commandments to a thousand generations;

Deuteronomy 7:9 (KJV)

Just like John in the story, there are just a handful of humans in this century who are kind, nice, and open to people. He had to first show his loyalty to Bobby by offering to share his time and moments with him, because if not, there was no way Bobby could have served with him at night and displayed that level of loyalty after he died.

Loyalty is an important character trait that distinguishes people and opens doors for them. People would only have your back and support you if you have proven yourself to be of strong moral values and beliefs, and someone who should can be trusted.

Are you loyal and committed to the people in your close circle? To your Family? Friends? Colleagues? Think about the loyalty code today.