Stay the Course

As I contemplated writing to you this week, the phrase “stay the course” jumped in my spirit. As I did a little research, I uncovered the history of this phrase which originated from a reference to nautical definitions meaning to “maintain a constant course while navigating.” It also became a reference to the phrase that describes a horse having the stamina to finish the race on a racetrack. “Stay the course” also was used in the context of war in order to pursue the goal set out regardless of the negative feedback or obstacles met. The earliest known use of “stay the course” was in 1873. The Collins Dictionary definition is: “... to finish something that you have started, even though it has become very difficult.” In other words, purse a difficult task or activity to the finish.

There are situations in my life over the years that have seemed overwhelming and uncertain with no real end date. The going seems so hard and so long. I can relate it to when I birthed our first sweet pea; having asked the nurse on duty when she thought I’d have the baby. She admitted no one can really determine the length of labor however; she gave me a “guesstimation,” given the regularity of my contractions and other labor signs. I labored far past her suggested time frame; Big Sweet Pea was born 24 hours from the time labor had begun. The nurse was shocked to see me in labor when she returned to the night shift and was equally as sorry that she’d given me her assumption at all. (For the record, I’ve never held it against her for that.) As I think of the situations in life such as birthing a child, paying down debt, renovations or new home builds, marriage relationships, family situations, work, and life decisions and so on, if we could just see the end, we think it would help to know how long we’ve got to work things through in order to get to the desired end result. Unfortunately, though, in most cases, we can’t see the end from the beginning. As I look at the present situations in my life, I can become overwhelmed with the tasks laid out in front of me, personally, relationally, career-wise and financially. On the converse, I can take to heart what Holy Spirit dropped in my spirit as I started writing today: stay the course. In the storm, Jesus is our lighthouse. In the flood, He is our strong tower. In the wind, He is our refuge. In the fire, He is our covering. Psalm 119:1-3 reassures us. “You’re blessed when you stay on course, walking steadily on the road revealed by God. You’re blessed when you follow his directions, doing your best to find him. That’s right - you don’t go off on your own; you walk straight along the road he set.” A river cuts through a rock not because of its power, but its persistence. Dear brothers and sisters, although you may be facing difficulties in your life, be persistent to stay the course. Strength is not feeling strong, it is staying the course when you feel week. It is staying focused on Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith. It is about keeping our eyes on the end result. “(I) want each of you to show this same diligence to the very end, so that what you hope for may be fully realized.” (Hebrews 6:11) Dear friends, stay the course. Do not give up! Do not lose hope! Keep keeping on.