“So then, brothers and sisters, stand firm
and hold fast to the traditions that you were taught by us,
either by word of mouth or by our letter.: – 2 Thessalonians 2:15
I stood facing into the wind, it’s fierceness nearly sweeping me off my feet. It seemed appropriate. i was facing into a decision that I knew would change the direction of my life. It was a hard decision yet I knew I had to move forward into the invitation?
These words came on the winds. I’m not a singer but I faced the wind and sang fiercely.
Stand, Oh stand firm, Stand, oh stand firm,Stand, Oh stand firm and see what the Lord can do. (Cameroon, The Iona Community.)
As what was to come slowly unfolded in the next months, I knew in my body how it felt to stand firm. My body remembered. I leaned into the paradox of standing firm by both holding fast and letting go.
With all the talk in their day of imminent end-times, the Thessalonians were also called to live in the here-and-now. They were to stand firm, rooted in wisdom. The letter writer says something like: Don’t be blown away. You might be shaken or startled facing these hard things, but stand firm and hold fast and you will grow in faithfulness.
What holds you firm when you are feeling off balance? Is it a song, a saying, a memory of someone who inspires steadfastness in you?
