The Sheer Sweetness of Stiffened Necks: Why I Marvel at God's Chosen Stubbornness
Okay, so lately I've been really thinking about this idea of stubbornness. Not like, "I'm gonna be stubborn just to be difficult" stubbornness, but that deep-seated, unwavering kind of… well, stiff-neckedness. And honestly, I’ve come to see it as this strangely beautiful thing, a testament to God’s sovereignty even when it feels like we're messing up.
You know, we talk so much about being humble and yielding to God, and that's all good, absolutely. But then I read passages like Exodus 32:9: "And the Lord said to Moses, 'I have seen this people, and behold, it is a stiff-necked people.'" Or Deuteronomy 9:6, "Know, therefore, that the Lord your God is not giving you this good land to possess because of your righteousness, for you are a stiff-necked people.” I mean, God himself acknowledges this trait in his chosen people! He doesn't shy away from it. He’s just… honest. And I find that so comforting.
It makes me think about times when I’ve been absolutely, positively convinced I was on the right path, even when everything around me seemed to say otherwise. Like, last year, when I felt this undeniable pull to volunteer at the animal shelter, but everyone was telling me I was too busy with work and everything else. I kept saying, "No, this is where I need to be," and honestly, I dug my heels in. It wasn’t easy. There were days I felt like I was barely keeping my head above water. But then, this little, scruffy mutt I’d been caring for got adopted by this wonderful family, and they told me I was the reason he’d come out of his shell. It was such a powerful moment, I felt like God was saying, "See? Even in your stubbornness, I can bring good.”
I’ve been pondering this a lot, because the Bible doesn’t seem to sugarcoat the fact that humans are often, well, resistant. Like that whole story of Pharaoh refusing to let the Israelites go, despite all the plagues. You could argue that his stubbornness was a negative thing, sure. But even in that, God was able to demonstrate his power and his love for his people. It's like God can use any trait, any circumstance for his ultimate purposes. It's all so connected.
And it's not like I'm advocating for being difficult, right? It's about recognizing that even our most frustrating moments can be turned into something meaningful. Sometimes, when I feel myself clinging too tightly to something, I try to check my heart. Am I being stubborn because of my own pride, or am I feeling led by something deeper? There’s a difference between being bullheaded and having conviction, and it’s in that space, that discernment, where I think we truly grow.
This idea also helps me have compassion for others. I see people struggling, clinging to things that don’t seem right, and instead of just getting frustrated, I try to remember that maybe, just maybe, they’re also operating from a place of conviction, even if it’s misplaced. And that's when I try to pray for them more, asking God to soften their hearts or illuminate the truth they’re searching for.
Living like this makes me think more critically. I’ve started to notice the "stiff-neckedness" around me in a different light. It's in the person who refuses to give up on a dream, in the individual who stands up for what they believe, even when it's unpopular. I see it even in the quiet determination of my friend who’s battling a serious illness. This is not always a negative thing. It's often a driving force, powered by the Spirit to move us towards God's will for our lives.
Ultimately, embracing this concept of "stiff-neckedness" – in the way God uses even our imperfections – helps me see the bigger picture of faith. It’s not about being perfect, it’s about surrendering to God's plan, even when we’re struggling to understand it. We're all a work in progress, and God uses all of it, the good, the bad, and even those stiff-necked moments. So, let’s all try to be more curious about why we dig our heels in, shall we?
So, tell me, where have you seen your stubbornness (or that of others) lead to something unexpected in your life?