SAYS EASY, DOES HARD

STEADFAST: a fixed direction or a firmness of purpose no matter what.

2025 is surely flying by and it doesn’t seem that long ago that we all started a new year and set new year resolutions. Within the facebook group I am a part of (related to my diagnosis), a post shortly after the new year asked what everyone’s word of the year was. I remember thinking about several words that could easily be my word for 2025…but it took several weeks into January to have one take hold in my heart and mind, steadfast.

I’ve thought a lot about that word this year and have reflected at what being steadfast looks like, what it feels like, and how one that is steadfast may respond during tough and challenging moments. What I’ve realized is that just like any notable characteristic – the pursuit of being steadfast is just that…a pursuit. We have days we crush it, we have days we are “mostly” steadfast, and we have days that being steadfast is the last thing we were. A pastor recently shared that steadfast is saying “in the face of difficulty, I will not abandon the direction, or forsake the purpose God has for my life.” Says easy, does hard…right? Here’s the truth though: God has chosen a bigger and a better purpose than I have for myself. And so to grow in being steadfast, I know it requires I grow in trusting the Lord. And here’s another truth: It is about Him, and it is about His glory…it has never been about me. In the book of James it says to “count it joy” when you go through the trials of life because the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. In the work world we say “no pressure, no diamonds”. It’s so true though…it’s through these trials that we learn, we grow, we draw closer to the Lord, and we learn to trust Him.

Christmas 2023 I asked my parents for a new bible, and received the one in the photo of this post. Now looking back at what the year ahead would bring, the scripture on the front was quite fitting…and it was no coinsidence.

The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases, his mercies never come to an end, they are new every morning, great is your faithfulness. (Lamentations 3:22-23)

What a comfort and a promise we have for those who have put their faith and trust in the Lord. He always has been and always will be steadfast in his love for us. He has a purpose, His purose is bigger and better than what we will ever know, and we must trust Him and remain steadfast. Says easy, does hard.