Steadfastness

Words like creme-rinse, smorgasbord, and thong are words from my growing-up years that are no longer used in the same way. Thongs used to be flip-flops. If I use it now, my children say Mom in a weird way. In school, we took Typing I and then Typing II. Now, it's Keyboarding and it is taught in elementary school. Hey, even "floppy disk" is out.

House dress, overshoes, and overalls were common words in our family household. Supper was the last meal of the day. We wore "chore clothes" after school and "church clothes" on Sunday.

Some words become obsolete and others stick.

One of the words from the Bible that I appreciate is steadfastness. We don't hear it much. Merriam-Webster defines it as faithful, loyal, constant, resolute to whatever one owes allegiance. 

A person can be steadfast in a belief, an effort, a plan or even a refusal--sometimes under dire circumstances.

And sometimes, steadfastness comes across as drudgery. Biblical examples of steadfastness include:


Moses' extreme patience with the Israelites
Daniel's courage in the lion's den
David's consistent dependence on God for guidance
Job's perseverance under the most dreadful circumstances
Paul, who my dad referred to as "the Moses of the New Testament"
And, of course, Jesus, our Sacrificial Lamb

Perhaps you want to think of a loving, positive way to apply the word "steadfast" to your day.
*Your family's schedule that prevents a time of peace
*The co-worker who tests your patience
*An illness that worries your body and soul

Second Thessalonians 3: reads May the Lord direct your hearts to the love of God and to the steadfastness of Christ.

No matter what your care, what a comfort to know that our hearts are directed to the love of God and Christ's steadfastness on our behalf.