The words of a well-known Christian hymn state what it means to be steadfast: “I shall not be, I shall not be moved. I shall not be, I shall not be moved. Just like a tree that’s planted by the living waters, I shall not be moved!”

Steadfast means to be dedicated, to be determined, to be dependable and unmovable. It is the opposite of wishy-washy. Steadfastness is an important attribute for any person who desires a good reputation and to be a positive influence on his or her community.

A person who always impressed me with his steadfastness was Clarence Jordan, the founder of Koinonia Farm and translator of the “Cotton Patch” version of the New Testament. Someone asked him one day if he had ever been on a “freedom ride.” Back in the heyday of the civil rights movement, integrated groups of white and black men and women would board Greyhound and Trailways buses in northern states and ride into the segregated South to establish the right of people of any race to ride public buses freely there. Often, those “freedom riders” would be greeted at bus stations or even out on southern highways by angry mobs of whites who resented their efforts to change the “southern way of life.” Several of the freedom riders were severely beaten in places like Birmingham and Montgomery, Alabama.

When Clarence Jordan was asked if he had ever been on a freedom ride, he quickly responded, “No, but I have always ridden freely.”

What he meant was that he was steadfast in observing and practicing his belief that all of humanity was equal in God’s sight. He did not wait for some special occasion or some event to practice what he believed. He did it every day in the regular course of living.

I heard Clarence Jordan say on numerous occasions that God calls a man or woman to be obedient and faithful to the way of the gospel. God does not call people to be “successful.” He calls us to be faithful, to be obedient, to be steadfast.

Jesus was certainly steadfast. He was secure in the knowledge that his heavenly father had a specific mission for him on this earth. He went about fulfilling that mission with single-minded determination and dedication. Along the way, he gathered twelve disciples. With them, he traveled and taught for three years. Then, he headed with steadfastness toward Jerusalem. He confided to his disciples what awaited him in the Holy City. They were afraid. “Please turn back. Don’t go,” they pleaded. “No,” he responded, “My destiny, my ultimate purpose is there.” He would not be dissuaded. He would not be moved. Even though an agonizing death on a cruel cross awaited him, he remained steadfast.

This Jesus, who modeled what he taught, has this message for those of us in the world today who seek to be his modern-day disciples: “Take up the cross and follow me.” That is a tough message that requires real commitment, determination, and steadfastness. Why? Because sometimes we are tested. Things are not always easy. We face challenges and obstacles in our lives. At such times of testing, do you remain steadfast, or do you waffle?

When the Ku Klux Klan and other angry whites threatened the people of Koinonia Farm with bodily harm and even death, there were many friends and supporters who advised those in Koinonia to move. You’ve got to be practical, they argued. You are putting yourselves and your children at risk. You should leave.

The response of Clarence Jordan and others was that they felt God had called them to that place and to the witness they were making. They correctly observed that if they were killed, they would not be the first Christians who had died for their faith. They said they would stay. They did stay, and what a powerful witness and testimony they made.

One of the keys to steadfast living is deciding what is important to you and what kind of person you want to be. Clarence Jordan earned a doctorate from the Southern Baptist Seminary through years of study. He had prayed and determined what kind of place Koinonia Farm would be. Clarence had a clear vision born of years of study, prayer, and hard work. That made the time of testing easier to weather.

Do you consider yourself a steadfast person? Can you be counted on, even when the going gets rough? Or are you inclined to accommodate, deviate, or obfuscate in order to get by? How do you feel about yourself when you cave in to pressure and go along with something you feel is wrong?

Steadfastness is best when combined with godly inspiration, thought, and preparation. Steadfastness without God is stubbornness.

Be determined and dedicated to your beliefs, and your steadfastness will become a rock for God and those who depend on you.

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