Steadfast
Steadfast
“Steadfast” is my word for this year. I had decided this in December of last year. It was a word that kept coming up, and I felt a tug towards it. In the past I’ve had words like “faithfulness” and “stewardship,” and they’ve carried unexpected weight and brought grounding clarity. But this year I chose a word that almost feels suffocating to me. It already carries a lot of weight, and I hadn’t even begun to unpack it and see what it will mean for me this year.
I had supper with my sister-in-law this past week and she asked me what I was hoping to gain from focusing on “steadfast.”
I didn’t have an immediate answer.
In the past, I’ve chosen the words and then around February something happens, unexpectedly, that gives the words a lot of shape and meaning. Faithfulness—I finally got a new job in February that year. Stewardship—we began the work to open the four new clinics in February and this became a defining moment in my career.
So when she asked me why I chose “steadfast,” a tightness came into my chest. Was God already trying to prepare me for something that’s coming? Something I can’t see? Something that will require me to be steadfast and secure in my relationship with Him?
I tried to explain all of this to her, and she nodded in understanding as I tried to put into words something that was working together in my heart. Sometimes it’s hard to give words to something that is more of a feeling. Even still, I’m struggling to convey the shape of this.
Whatever this year brings, whatever my life brings, I hope that I will be able to remain steadfast. I want to be that person that people can describe as dependable, unwavering, loyal, and resolute.
The concept of choosing a word for the year has become mainstream. Which is fine, I think it’s a great idea and I’m glad that more people are doing it. It’s a kind of new years resolution, but one that’s more open ended and allows and promotes growth.
Earlier this year (a couple weekends ago), I was at a conference for Mary Kay. One of the speakers talked about her word for the year, and she turned hers into an acrostic. Her word was short (hope), but I thought it was a valuable exercise and I wasted no time turning mine into an acrostic as well. I opened my planner and set to work, and I can’t tell you what the rest of her talk was about.
“S – Steward Time
T – Teachable Spirit
E – Enjoy the Process
A – Anchored in God’s Word
D – Driven Intent
F – Faithful to God’s Plan
A – Allow Grace
S – Stay Strong
T – Truth in Love”
It’s not really a poem, but more a collection of phrases that help give shape to the main word. I liked that I could tie in my previous two words, because the lessons they taught me are still applicable to me now.
As January is (already) in it’s last full week, I’m trying to take account of myself and make sure that I’m being diligent in my personal growth.
So how did the last week go with my goals? I successfully did something Mary Kay related everyday (yay!), I only missed one day of writing (yay!), and I didn’t meet my goal for number of steps taken (boo…) but I do have a plan to get a gym membership and go “workout” with my sister-in-law! So things just keep getting better.
Part of my focus word is finding scripture references that include the word (or related words). So I wanted to leave you with some of the scripture that is working my heart today.
“Let your eyes looks straight ahead; fix your gaze directly before you. Give careful thought to the paths for your feet and be steadfast in all your ways. Do not turn to the right or the left; keep your foot from evil.”
“And the God of all grace, who called you to his eternal glory in Christ, after you have suffered a little while, will himself restore you and make you strong, firm and steadfast.”
