Steadfast

Some people I love recently received news that would shake up anyone’s insides. When I heard the news, it came via a voice note. I heard the facts and my disbelief turned to moments of numbness before my emotions began rising to the surface and spilling over in great, hot tears. The voices of the ones I love stated what needed to be told and then as I was quietly falling apart they spoke an action plan right into the storm. The plan for them and for anyone affected by the news is this:

We do not live afraid and we are staying put.

Have you ever noticed how we behave when our world rocks a little? In the face of the unknown fear starts to lead our thoughts and actions and we look for another way, someone else, anywhere except where we are… a greener pasture, a different path, a second opinion, a better leader, another group. We might want to run and hide. Not the ones I love, however, they just said, “Under His wings we will find refuge” (Psalm 91 v 4) and in spite of the blow they had just received they went off to a restaurant and then went away with friends as planned. I know them well and I saw the new lines etched on their foreheads and an invisible weight on their shoulders, but nobody would ever guess what they face if they didn’t know. There continues to be a great sense of humour and all the daily, mundane tasks get completed with vigour and a smile. Nobody is running and nobody is hiding. It’s not that they are pretending either. It’s real. The clouds are gathering and the sea is restless, but I don’t see them diving overboard and flailing about in deep water to try and find the land. I see them throwing a giant anchor down and then standing on board, with arms linked to a great crowd all around them, their faces to the wind.

Lift up your heads, you gates; be lifted up, you ancient doors, that the king of glory may come in. Who is this king of glory? The Lord strong and mighty, the Lord mighty in battle. Lift up your heads, you gates; lift them up, you ancient doors, that the king of glory may come in (Psalm 24 v 7-9.)

How very attractive it is when people behave according to what they believe and not according to what they are feeling. Resolute courage springs up quickly where seeds of trust and surrender were planted. The atmosphere is one where the Almighty might not put out the fire or part the water, but He will make sure that the flames do not burn and the waves do not drown. Self-pity, be gone. Anxiety, no room for you. Words of doubt, not now, not ever.

The salvation of the righteous comes from the Lord; he is their stronghold in time of trouble. Psalm 37 v 39