Stand Firm in the Lord

Recently, we had the joy of sharing a meal with my old youth pastor. My brother and I got misty-eyed saying our goodbyes. Not everyone had a youth pastor like we did. One who taught us how to stand firm in the Lord. And not everyone still has their old youth pastor in their lives decades later. It’s a gift we don’t take for granted.

Tom Coffan

He took us rock-climbing in the Flat Irons, mountain trekking in the San Juan range where we learned to dig a BIFF, and on mission trips in the ranchitos of Mexico where our water was from a donkey trough. He gave us adventure, but mostly, he used every moment wisely. He taught us good common sense and safety. He showed us parables of God’s kingdom in every little thing. And he showed us that we matter, and the things we were concerned about matter. No topic was taboo.

He would play songs all high schoolers were listening to and we’d talk about the lyrics and what they really mean. I changed the music I listen to because of that. He also taught us how to read the Bible. Like how to really read it. Like if a passage starts with a “Therefore”, then make sure you go back to get more context and understand what came before. And if there’s an “indeed”, that’s equivalent of three exclamation marks so really pay attention!!!

We were an odd ball bunch in youth group, and yet we felt included and safe there. I wish more high schoolers had a safety net like that. Here we are a couple tumultuous decades later, and I’m still standing. I’m so grateful he laid a firm foundation in the faith and in God’s Word for me. I’ve grown so much since then and experienced so much more in the kingdom of God, and I don’t take for granted the firm foundation that I was able to launch from.

We’ve shared a lot of history over the years. He was at my wedding and my husband’s funeral. I could go on, but what I want to share is this…

Needing Direction in Turbulence

When I went far from home for college, I remember one difficult night in particular. I was in the printing room in the dorm (probably printing of an anthropology paper.) Truly, when a kid is off at college, I think that’s when they need continued support from the church and family the most. Major life decisions to make. Peer pressure on every side. Difficult living environments. And all of it brings a huge emotional cocktail that’s hard to manage on your own.

Without knowing where to turn, I called my old youth pastor. I don’t remember much about my conversation that day with him. But I remember that he answered the phone, and maybe that’s what I needed most. A listening ear, good questions, someone who cared. When we were saying goodbye, he says to me, “Be strong in the Lord.”

Ephesians 6:13 says, “Therefore, [meaning, because your battle is not against flesh but against the spiritual forces of evil], put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you’ll be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand.”

How We Live vs. Where We Are Going

I was in a season of great unknowns and transitions and trying to figure out which direction to go, and yet, his benediction to me was to stand firm. Those words didn’t light up the path for my life or show me where to go next. But they reminded me of how to live life. Suited in the armor of God and confident in the saving and protecting power of Jesus. Standing my ground, and then, standing.

At the end of our lives, it’s very possible and almost certain that how we live life matters more than where we went in life.

As I hear tidbits of current events, I’m not certain things will be a cake walk for followers of the Way. I feel increasing urgency of the Gospel, that our time is short, and our days are numbered. We’re going to need to be suited up in the armor of God daily and walking in the power of Holy Spirit in order to stand against the devil’s schemes. Cultural Christianity is not going to cut it. The path ahead isn’t clear and the unknowns out number the assurances. But suited in the full armor of God, we can stand our ground.

When we said goodbye after dinner, he said to me, “Stand firm in the Lord and in the Lord be strong.” I instantly flashed back to the printing room of my dorm in college. Tears welled up. The unknowns back then were of less consequence than now, but I’ve had more practice in how to stand firm in the Lord since then. And in two seconds, I flashed through two decades of life in the Lord. Pursuing the heart of Lord was not easy but so worth it.

A Prayer

My prayer for you is that you dress in the armor of God and find your quiet confidence and strength in His ability to protect you. May your confidence grow that you have already overcome and conquered the evil one because of the blood of the Lamb and because of the word of your testimony (Revelations 12:10). May you love not your life nor renounce your faith even when faced with death (Revelations 12:11). And may you stand firm in the Lord, and be strong in the Lord, and in His mighty power (Ephesians 6:10). May the peace of God be your comfort and strength. In Jesus’ mighty name we pray, amen