Therefore, my beloved brothers, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord…
(1 Corinthians 15:58 ESV)
Have you ever known one of THOSE children? You know, the kind whose stubbornness will push all your buttons because they HAVE to get their way? Yeah? Those children can grow into stubborn adults, too.
Last summer at the arts camp we gave the campers an opportunity to have an adult pray with them. Most of these young people eagerly stepped forward for prayer. But there was one boy, about twelve years old, who sat in his chair. His friend came up to tell me he wouldn’t come up for prayer, so I went there to talk with him.
On one hand, it’s not really a great idea to FORCE someone to get prayed for. I certainly didn’t want this boy’s faith to be negatively impacted in such a moment.
However, the glint in his eye told me that this button-pushing, own-way-making, ornery young man wasn’t coming up because he felt spiritually uncomfortable, but because he was being stubborn. I tried to invite him personally and encourage him – even reason with him. But, nope. Not moving. Grinning at me like he’d pulled one over on me.
So, I smiled back at him and told him his stubbornness could either be an asset or his downfall. I told him that if he chooses to be stubborn in life just for the sake of being stubborn, he won’t do well. However, if he puts all that stubbornness to work for Kingdom purposes he’ll do great things.
The Bible addresses stubbornness from both negative and positive perspectives, depending on whether it reflects rebellion against God or faithful perseverance in righteousness. Over and over the Bible uses the terms like “hard-heartedness” or “stiff-necked” or “stopped ears” to describe people that refused to obey God. “Ah, stubborn children,” declares the Lord, “who carry out a plan, but not mine…” laments God through the prophet Isaiah in 30:1 (ESV).
But seen in a more positive light, stubbornness can reflect holy persistence, steadfastness, and unshakable faith. It’s Abraham stubbornly refusing to believe that the God who promised he would be the “father of many nations” would fail to give him a son—or would require that son to be sacrificed (Genesis 22). It’s Mordecai’s holy persistence in urging Esther to intervene with her husband, the king, on behalf of the Jews (Esther 4). It’s the steadfastness of the widow who kept returning to the judge—again and again—because he was the only one who could give her the justice she sought (Luke 18:1–8).
Today, let us be intentional about being stubborn about the things of the Lord.
God,
Thank you for all the ways in which you are working on our character so that we can become more and more like Jesus. Today, help us be mindful and discerning as we consider our motives. When we are stubborn because of rebellion, help us to confess that and seek your forgiveness. But when we have an opportunity to persevere in unshakeable faith and holy persistence, give us the will and strength to do so. May we be stubborn about Kingdom things, but obedient to you in all things. Help us to be people who are steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord. We ask this in the strong name of Christ, AMEN.