Dear Sisters,
Resolute. Not vacillating. Loyal. Steadfast.
Words are fascinating to me—especially more distinctive and emotionally-stirring words. Easily, I can get sucked into reading a dictionary or a thesaurus. Ever since I was a little girl, I have desired to unpack the meaning of words, to really understand the depth of an important concept.
When I hear the word, steadfast, I think of honor, love, faithfulness. I see visions of glorious lives of honorable men and women. However, being steadfast is not a good thing if what you are steadfast to is not honorable in itself. My husband and I shake our heads when our children chose to remain steadfast to a (usually not so cleverly crafted) lie. We ourselves are steadfast night owls, often draining our potential for the following day.
My husband remarked how grateful he is that God is steadfast—how we should have been cast off as a human race long, long ago, “But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.” Rom. 5:8. All those years Israel and Judah were unfaithful and disloyal to God, yet He still sent His Son. Then His people cast out their Savior, their God, and hung Him on the cross! How often do I turn steadfastly toward rubbish as well? Yet, He remains resolute toward me in His love.
Be careful who and what you are steadfast to, dear sister! “And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what the will of God is, that which is good and acceptable and perfect…. Abhor what is evil; cling to what is good.” Rom. 12:2; 9b. Be meticulous in your choices. “Therefore, my beloved brethren, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that your toil is not in vain in the Lord.” I Cor. 15:58. Oh, there is great comfort in knowing our hard work in the Lord, even the sometimes mundane service, is of worth. Steadfastly rest there!
Running with you,
Rebecca