Over the past few weeks, I’ve had the privilege of investing in the lives of several young women who love deeply and live authentically. In the process, they’ve poured back into me in ways too numerous to count. Through conversations about careers, relationships, transitions—and even shared laughter over coffee and life’s chaos—a quiet yet consistent theme emerged: purpose.
Even when it wasn’t spoken directly, the thread was there—identity in Christ fuels purpose. And that purpose doesn’t always arrive fully formed. Sometimes, it’s revealed slowly: in the quiet, in the waiting, and in the brave act of choosing faith over fear. Purpose is often shaped in the unknown. It’s found in the moments when we take a step forward, uncertain of the outcome, yet trusting in the steadfast love of God that leads us. As Psalm 138:8 reminds us, “The Lord will fulfill His purpose for me; Your steadfast love, O Lord, endures forever. Do not forsake the work of Your hands.”
God’s love doesn’t expire with delayed timelines or shifting life circumstances. Even when faith communities tend to focus heavily on marriage or motherhood, the 30-something professional Christian single woman is not overlooked. You are not behind. You are not forgotten. You are right on time in the hands of a faithful God.
Sometimes, walking in purpose means releasing what once felt secure—a city, a friendship circle, or even a church home. It may not feel like freedom at first, but God’s “no” is always wrapped in His knowing. He knows our days before one of them comes to be (Psalm 139), and He can be trusted. A heart set on Him is not just free, it is steady, joyful, and rooted in truth.
There is something profoundly powerful about a made-up mind. “But Daniel purposed in his heart that he would not defile himself…” (Daniel 1:8). Amid cultural pressure, isolation, and uncertainty, Daniel stood firm. He didn’t wait for the crowd to make his decision—he chose early. He resolved in his heart to honor God. That is what it means to live with courageous conviction.
Steadfastness is not stubbornness; it’s spiritual determination. It’s the quiet confidence that comes from knowing whose you are and where your strength originates. Like Daniel, we are called to stand firm in a world that constantly tempts us to compromise.
David, too, modeled this kind of unshaken resolve. Surrounded by enemies and chaos, he declared, “My heart, O God, is steadfast; I will sing and make music.” (Psalm 57:7). This wasn’t blind optimism—it was a declaration of trust in God’s character. David’s courage to praise came from the certainty of a God who never fails.
In Psalm 52:8, David paints a picture of a heart anchored in God: “But I am like an olive tree flourishing in the house of God; I trust in God’s unfailing love forever and ever.” The olive tree is resilient—deeply rooted and fruitful through the seasons. Its strength lies in where it’s planted. We flourish not because life is easy, but because we are grounded in the steadfast love of God.
Psalm 62:11–12 echoes this truth: “Once God has spoken; twice have I heard this: that power belongs to God, and that to You, O Lord, belongs steadfast love.” What a pairing—power and love, both held perfectly in God’s hands. He is able and affectionate. Sovereign and safe. In Him, we are secure.
Daniel understood where to draw the line because he knew who he belonged to. His identity shaped his decisions before the crisis ever came. That is the key to steadfast living—choosing in advance what you’ll stand for, rather than reacting in the moment. Purpose is fueled by pre-decided obedience.
So today, make that decision in your heart. Resolve to live anchored in truth, unmoved by cultural pressure, and free in Christ. Let the world sway if it must—you stand firm. Not by your own might, but in the steady, unshakable love of the God who planted you with intention.
Reflection Questions:
What area of your life is God inviting you to resolve in your heart before the pressure comes?
What does courageous conviction look like for you in this season?
Where do you need to trust that God’s steadfast love is enough—even when the outcome is unclear?
Journaling Encouragement:
I encourage you this week to journal about a past decision where you felt God’s hand leading you toward courage, even if it didn’t feel like freedom in the moment. Be affirmed that you being steadfast is a sign of strength, not rigidity—and that God honors a heart set like Daniel’s.
Closing Prayer:
Father, give me a heart like Daniel—steadfast, immovable, and resolved. When the world tempts me to bend, help me stand firm. When circumstances shift, let my soul remain anchored in Your love and Your power. Plant me like an olive tree in Your house, flourishing in faith and bearing fruit in every season. Let my life and heart be a living song of determination and trust. In Jesus’ name, Amen.