Going Steady

Remember Aesop’s fable about the tortoise and the hare? The fast but overconfident hare learned the moral of the story: “Slow and steady wins the race.”

Back in the 1960s “going steady” meant teenage couples agreed to date exclusively. To show their loyalty, they exchanged tokens of affection. A girl would wear her boyfriend’s letterman jacket or his class ring, wrapping yarn around the ring to make it fit her finger.

That kind of going steady went out of fashion a long time ago, but the Bible talks about a different kind of steadiness that’s important for us today.

On the Move . . . But Immovable

In 1 Corinthians 15:58 the apostle Paul says to be “steadfast” and “unmovable” (King James Version). The New International Version translates it, “Stand firm. Let nothing move you.”

Ironically, we should be “on the move” and “immovable” at the same time, embracing change when it’s good and resisting change when it’s bad. Good changes keep our faith growing and keep us moving forward to accomplish the church’s mission. Bad changes prevent us from continuing steadfastly in the apostles’ teaching, fellowship, breaking of bread, and prayer (Acts 2:42). Faith’s essentials aren’t negotiable, and we must steadily cling to them.

Steady as You Go

Steadfastness isn’t flashy, but it’s greatly needed. Politicians, business gurus, athletes, and movie stars age and die. Fads and trends come and go. Styles change and cultures shift, but God’s truth remains constant. We need steadfast, faithful leaders who honor the Lord’s instruction: “Continue in your faith, established and firm, and do not move from the hope held out in the gospel” (Colossians 1:23, NIV).

At home, parents need to go steady. Moms and dads aren’t perfect, but they need to be present and consistent. Kids need stable relationships, mature guidance, predictable rules, firm discipline, and reassuring love.

At work, bosses and employees need to go steady. Faithfulness isn’t measured by annual performance reviews, but it never goes out of style. I’ve never heard an employee whine, “My boss is too reliable!” Nor have I heard a boss complain, “You know the problem with my employees? They always show up on time, tell the truth, and treat others with respect!” To borrow a phrase from Good to Great author Jim Collins, organizations thrive in high-trust environments where teammates steadily “push the flywheel” in the same direction day after day.

At church, preachers and elders need to go steady. Love the people and walk with them through their ups and downs. Teach God’s Word week after week, day after day. Celebrate wins together. Endure hard times together. Seek God’s wisdom in prayer. Keep a positive attitude and a sense of humor. Take risks that stretch your faith. (Steadiness doesn’t mean “boring” or “afraid to try new things”).

And steadiness means sticking around. Too much leadership turnover weakens the church. So do herky-jerky leaders who subscribe to the “vision of the month club” and the congregation never knows what’s coming next. Timothy may have been tempted to high-tail it out of a tough city like Ephesus, but Paul told him to “stay there” and stick it out (1 Timothy 1:3). Of course, preachers shouldn’t stay too long if their effectiveness has eroded; but many bale out too soon, missing fruitful years and lasting results. Someone said we overestimate what can be accomplished in a year and underestimate what can be accomplished in 10 years.

In today’s herky-jerky world, don’t add to the instability. Build your house on the Rock. Buckle down, be faithful, and stay steady.

Author: David Faust

David Faust serves as contributing editor of Christian Standard and senior associate minister with East 91st Street Christian Church in Indianapolis, Indiana. He is the author of Not Too Old: Turning Your Later Years into Greater Years.