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5 For this very reason, make every effort to supplement your faith with virtue, and virtue with knowledge, 6 and knowledge with self-control, and self-control with steadfastness, and steadfastness with godliness, 7 and godliness with brotherly affection, and brotherly affection with love. 8 For if these qualities are yours and are increasing, they keep you from being ineffective or unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ.

– 2 Peter 1:5-8, ESV

Reflection

Steadfastness. This may sound strange, but whenever I hear that word, I think of horses. The word means unshakable or firmly in place. And I imagine an old farm with a horse in its stable. The horse’s master opens the door and gently leads the horse to an open field to run. The horse has no bit or bridle. It doesn’t need one, and its master knows that. The horse has proven time after time that it knows the field, understands its boundaries, and can be trusted to stay in the space the master has provided. So it runs openly, freely using its natural gifts. And when the master calls, it answers without delay.

That’s what steadfastness looks like to me. Step four in building resilient faith is about growing more steady or becoming steadfast. The term can feel stiff and restrictive, like an old, boring statue that never moves. But I encourage you to see it as the horse I just described—full of life and well-trained to stay in the master’s care.

Peter isn’t telling us to lead dull, uninteresting lives. He’s calling us to be faithful to our walk with Christ, who says in John 10:10, He came that we might have life and life more abundantly. An abundant life is anything but boring. If you’re ready to take the next step in building a resilient faith, it’s time to stay in God’s boundaries, using your gifts to the fullest and responding immediately to the Holy Spirit.

Prayer

God, we thank You that each and every one of us has been made by You. Lord, You have gifted us with talents and abilities that, God, You want us to use for Your glory. God, Your expectation is that we stay within Your will, within Your plans. God, it’s not about being restricted. It’s about being empowered. It’s about allowing ourselves to be used to our fullest potential, which can only come when we stay within the boundaries You’ve set because You know what’s good for us. You know what’s best for us. Those boundaries are for our benefit.

So, help us today, Lord, to be steadfast, to be committed to the walk that You’ve called us to. To be committed to using the gifts that You’ve given us for Your glory. God, we say thank You once more and again for the gifts. Thank You, God, for the abilities. And thank You, God, for that open field that You’ve created for us to use our gifts fully and freely in so that we are protected. God, thank You for that. In Christ Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.

Application Question

Where is God leading you to use your talents for His glory?