I read somewhere that the word “steadfast” is used more than 200 times in the Bible. I didn’t verify the stats, but I do know it’s a term used frequently in Scripture that we don’t hear very often these days. I’m not surprised. Steadfast means “a fixed direction . . . steadily directed . . . unwavering.” Some synonyms are “abiding . . . single-minded.” When was the last time you felt steadily directed or single-minded? Most of our thoughts are pulled in countless directions on any given day, easily swayed by instant messages, social media posts, other news, or emails. Our attentions swarm like bees that have lost their hive, leaving us frantic, confused, and far from fixed in our direction.
The struggle is real. One research report revealed that people check their cell phones 47-86 times per day. That doesn’t include distractions from other technologies. The impact of this seemingly harmless behavior is damaging in more ways than one. The constant mental wavering is making us physically, mentally, and spiritually fatigued, perhaps even sick. We can’t pray. We can’t focus our attention on our immediate surroundings, much less God. We turn our gaze in all directions, seeking visual, audible, emotional, and other stimuli that only diverts us more. It becomes a vicious cycle, and we are so enmeshed that we don’t even recognize it as being problematic. When there is silence, we feel alone, afraid, and unable to abide in God’s restorative presence. At this rate, there’s a great possibility that we’ll get to the end of our lives and realize we looked at our phones more than we looked at our own souls. The repercussions could be eternal.
1 Corinthians 15:58 reminds us to “be steadfast, immovable, always excelling in the work of the Lord, because you know that in the Lord your labor is not in vain.” Each time you feel pulled in some direction, remember to be steadfast -- fixed, unwavering, and steadily directed. Do not be moved or swayed by the petty chaos of modern life. Some messages are timeless, but they’re not likely to show up on Facebook or in a text message. Turn your attention inward and upward. Nowadays, it will take more effort, practice, perseverance, and self-control than ever, but you will be rewarded abundantly with the peace, faith, hope, and love that can only come when our gaze is fixed upon God.
“Make every effort to supplement your faith with virtue,
virtue with knowledge, knowledge with self-control,
self-control with endurance, endurance with devotion,
devotion with mutual affection, mutual affection with love.
If these are yours and increase in abundance,
they will keep you from being idle
or unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ.”
2 Peter 1:5-8
Read more reflections in When on Earth: Discovering Christian Spirituality in the Daily Happenings of Ordinary Life.