New Hope Notes
A Season Of Steadfastness
Life's Growing Seasons
Pastor Wayne Cordeiro
September 26, 2004 - W0439
One of the toughest seasons of life is a season of steadfastness. Last month I spent some time talking with a pastor who basically just dropped out of his ministry. Suddenly, this pastor of a flourishing church (of about 2000 people) wanted out. After meeting with him, I found that nothing was really morally or physically wrong. Nevertheless, after 12 years of ministry with a thriving church, he lost heart. He was used to lots of activity in the church. And the excitement of the early growth years was being replaced by a steady congregation. The good news is that this pastor will be going back after a couple of months of sabbatical.
That can happen in our lives as well. When there isn’t much going on, we too may feel like giving up. Instead we must stay steady wherever God placed us whether in our job, marriage, or ministry. Staying the course when it seems as though nothing is happening is probably one of the hardest tests of all. So we need to be careful of the enemy who is waiting to distract us and bring us down. “For you have need of endurance, so that when you have done the will of God, you may receive what was promised.” (Hebrews 10:36)
Q1: What life season are you in right now?
In seasons of steadiness, we must stay the course because God wants to build within us character qualities of patience, loyalty, faithfulness, endurance, and perseverance. Where else will these qualities be built? Though we may feel like giving up and getting out of a work, family, or school situation, God wants us to stay steady because there are things going on beneath the surface that we may not even realize. He is working out His will in our lives. “And let endurance have its perfect result, so that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.” (James 1:4)
A couple of weeks ago I did a 32 mile paddling race. The race was fun and exciting in the beginning as we made your way through throngs of other boats and felt the rush of competition. However, after about 14 miles or so fatigue sets in, but we just have to stay steady for the final 18 miles. In those times of steadfastness, we need to remember everything we’ve been taught. All the basics must be executed as perfectly as possible. That’s where races are won or lost and how champions are found.
And so it is with life, it’s a time when we develop the character qualities God designed us to possess. Once we understand that remaining steady during these seasons will help build these character qualities, we can then transfer it to other areas of your life. For example, patience we learn as a parent will transfer when working with others. The qualities of endurance and loyalty that we learn at work will transfer to our marriage. It’s during these seasons of steadfastness that these kinds of transferable character qualities will be conceived, but only by staying the course and allowing God to work in our lives.
People often ask me who has influenced and impacted my life. It was a man named Dick Cook. Though he wasn’t famous or well-known, he made an indelible impression on my early life as a pastor. He was a circuit pastor for three little churches with about 45 members each. The three churches were situated just about 2 hours apart. I was a young 24 year-old newlywed youth pastor when Dick Cook asked me to speak at his 3 churches. Each Sunday this pastor would drive from morning to evening speaking at his three churches. At around 6:00 pm he would make the journey home. He did this every Sunday for 18 years. Now what struck me most about this man was his unpretentious, humble heart. It was also evident that the people he ministered to just loved him. There was something so genuine, inspiring, secure and assuring about this man.
So one Sunday, I traveled with him to speak at the three churches and after the last service, as we were driving back, I asked him if he ever want to quit. He replied, “About every Monday, but you gotta hold fast.”
This sentiment can be expanded to just about everything in our lives. With all of us, in the beginning of a ministry or job or marriage, life may seem fun and exciting, but when it turns into a season of steadiness that’s where we have to hang tight and press on. A lot of people grow old but never grow up because they never encounter and stick with a season of steadfastness. I also asked Dick Cook what one thing he learned from his 18 years of ministry that would help me out as a new upstart preacher. After some thought, he said, “Stick with your wife,” which, at first, I thought was a little odd. However, what he was saying was stay steady and remain faithful in the place that God has called you.
THE GREATEST TEST IS NOT CHALLENGE. IT’S OFTEN THE ABSENCE OF IT.
“When the
Likewise with us, when everything seems to be going okay, we need to be careful and remember and execute everything we’ve learned. What we need is not a cheering section or something new and novel. Instead, we need a long obedience in the same direction. Then all the roots we’ll need in the days ahead will grow to keep us steady and equip us in your relationships, your job, and whatever tests that will come our way. The pastor who wanted to give up got used to the wonderfulness of God instead of being grateful and thankful for what God was doing in his life.
How thankful we should be that we are simply alive. Here at New hope we’ve been going so fast for the last 9 years, but sometimes it feels like nothing is happening. Imagine riding a 747 at 600 mph about 32,000 feet about the earth’s surface. Yet you may feel like nothing is happening in economy seating, but if you try opening the door and walk outside you’d find there is TONS going on!
We often don’t realize what God is doing outside our realm of knowledge, but we may feel like nothing is going on. We may think nothing is happening in your marriage or ministry. Nevertheless, stay the course because that’s when you need to focus all your energies on everything you have ever learned because those are the times that God is working His character qualities into your life. “Consider it all joy, my brethren, when you encounter various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces endurance” (James 1:2-4).
There are some things God wants us to focus on to make sure we are executing the things we’ve learned in the past. Here are four areas to be mindful of and keep fresh during times of steadfastness. The first is our…
1. PERSONAL RELATIONSHIP WITH GOD.
It’s so easy during a season of steadfastness to get bored and start looking at other people and other things to satisfy us. However, first and foremost, we must be sure our personal relationship with God is tight. We need to make sure that we are okay with Jesus alone.
Q2: If the Lord took everything away, would you be content with Jesus alone?
Often we think our identities are so intertwined with our jobs, finances, marriages, or our places in the community. However, God wants us to be satisfied with Him alone. When my relationship with the Lord is enough and I am content with just Jesus and me, then God will add more to my life. So in essence, when our finances are in disarray, someone is maligning our character or, we’ve lost a job, we can still be content. Sometimes we don’t realize that Jesus is all you need until He’s all we’ve got. “But I am afraid that, as the serpent deceived Eve by his craftiness, your minds will be led astray from the simplicity and purity of devotion to Christ” (2 Cor. 11:3).
God wants our devotion to Jesus to be pure and simple; if it isn’t, we’ll get in trouble. Then the next area we must concentrate on is our…
2. PERSONAL LIFE DISCIPLINES.
“Therefore we do not lose heart, but though our outer man is decaying, yet our inner man is being renewed day by day. For momentary, light affliction is producing for us an eternal weight of glory far beyond all comparison, we look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen; for the things which are seen are temporal, but the things which are not seen are eternal” (2 Cor. 4:16-18).
In other words, there’s a lot more going on than we think. Remember, God is working within us even though we can’t see or feel it. That’s why as we go through a season of steadfastness, three keys to life disciplines help us prioritize things in our lives. The first is…
· Daily devotions
We need to be sure we’re at the feet of Jesus being nurtured everyday because man doesn’t live on bread alone. It’s not promotions, money, possessions, or even ministry that feeds our soul, but the word of God. The most important thing about us is what Jesus says about us in His Word. The more we get to know Jesus, the more we’ll know how He will equip us for the season we’re in. He’s given us everything we need pertaining to how to be a mother, father, employee, child, etc. “Seeing that His divine power has granted to us everything pertaining to life and godliness, through the true knowledge of Him who called us by His own glory and excellence.” (2 Peter 1:3) Therefore, we must press on in our daily devotions to Him. Another vital discipline is…
· Exercise & Diet
“Therefore I urge you, brethren, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies a living and holy sacrifice, acceptable to God, which is your spiritual service of worship” (Romans 12:1). When we present a healthy body to the Lord, it’s an acceptable form of worship. Are you healthy or out of shape? I’m not talking about size or weight, it’s about health. We don’t need to be a Mr. or Ms. Universe. Our bodies are temples of God’s Spirit, so we must treat it properly. Now don’t go overboard; just do the best you can to stay healthy. The next discipline is very important as well.
· Margins
This means resting and just taking time to get away. It doesn’t have to be a long time. I’ve come to realize that the Lord orders us to take a Sabbath to remind us that we are not the ones in charge. I understand that when I rest and refresh my soul, it expresses great trust in the Lord because we recognize that He is in control of our lives. Contrary to what we may think, everything is not going to fall apart if we take a break. Remember we are not the ones holding it all together, the Lord is! Even Jesus took time out to rest. “But Jesus Himself would often slip away to the wilderness and pray”. (Luke 5:16)
Q3: What personal life disciplines are flourishing in your life? Lacking in your life? Why?
Jesus is our life and the simplicity and purity of our devotion to Him will help us from being led astray. In addition, taking time for daily devotions, exercise and diet, and rest are essential disciplines for us to follow in order to keep on tract during seasons of steadfastness. The next area we need to look at is our…
3. PERSONAL STEWARDSHIP.
· Finances
"Therefore if you have not been faithful in the use of unrighteous wealth, who will entrust the true riches to you?” (Luke 16:11) The way we steward finances is like a boot camp of how we will steward true riches. The riches of this earth are temporal but, God has true riches that last forever and changes people’s lives eternally. When we steward well what God has given us, He can entrust us with more eternal influence that will change people’s lives, communities, and even the world. Do you know how you’re doing financially? Take time to get records straight so you know where everything is. It’s not how much you have, but how well you steward it.
· Orderliness
Sometimes our homes or offices can be in shambles. In seasons of steadiness, clean things out, and put it in proper order. "He who offers a sacrifice of thanksgiving honors Me; And to him who orders his way aright I shall show the salvation of God.” (Psalm 50:23)
When things are ordered aright then you will understand the salvation of God (which means wholeness). Your physical space at home and work, your car, your personal hygiene, and your clothing: these are all areas that we want to make sure are in order and pleasing in God’s sight. You might think it’s worldly to dress well, but remember who we are representing. There are dress codes for employees who represent large companies; the least we can do is make a good representation of the King of kings and Lord or lords who deserves our very best.
· Planning
What are you going to do with your family this summer, during the holidays? Learn to plan and think ahead because the more you plan, the more you are like God. Remember, before the foundation of the world God already planned out salvation and the cross. So just do some general things and plan in such a way that says God, “What is the best course for my life this year?” Then this season of steadfastness will reap much fruit in the next season. “The prudent sees the evil and hides himself, but the naive go on, and are punished for it.” (Prov. 22:3) God is saying that the wise look in advance, foresees pitfalls, and plans accordingly, but the naïve don’t look ahead and then come crashing into trouble.
Q4: Name one area in your life that you feel you need to steward better. Take some time to think of how you will bring about change in this area.
Remember that our personal relationship with God, being disciplined with our lives, and stewarding what God’s given us are essential factors in order to remain focused during seasons of steadfastness. And finally don’t forget about…
4. PERSONAL RELATIONSHIPS.
Are you genuine in your relationship with others? Often we may not like or get along with someone, yet we pretend like everything is fine. We are here on earth for such a short time, why fake it? Let’s just be genuine. In such a situation, it’s important to do one of 2 things: (1) Completely forgive, and then love and support the person, or (2) Schedule a time to talk to the person, so you can work through issues and be reconciled.
Living incongruent lives where our hearts don’t match our actions is not acceptable. On the other hand, when we restore relationships we have rest for our soul which we cannot experience any other way. When we do things God’s way, things lighten up because His yoke is easy and His burden is light. Reconciling with another person may mean writing a note, asking for forgiveness, or scheduling time to talk. And when we take action, it’s like a 100 pounds being lifted off our shoulders and we then have a sense of rest and repose.
"Therefore if you are presenting your offering at the altar, and there remember that your brother has something against you, leave your offering there before the altar and go; first be reconciled to your brother, and then come and present your offering” (Matthew 5:23, 24).
In other words, having right relationships is more important than being “churchy”. Restoring and reconciling our personal relationships are more important than just going to church and leaving relationships unsettled. It’s so important to be genuine because when we stand before the Lord, He’ll reveal it all anyway.
Q5: Can you think of anyone with whom you need to be reconciled? Do one of the 2 things above.
So, as we go through a season of steadfastness, we must put into practice all that we have learned: focusing in on our relationship with God, prioritizing key life disciplines, stewarding our person well, and keeping our relationships restored and genuine. It might save your marriage, your family, your future, and your ministry. In this season of steadfastness, more character qualities than you’ll ever realize are being built. Stay steady and the next season will probably be one of the most fruitful seasons you’ll ever experience.
Mahalo to first time volunteer writer,