#Stand:Unwavering

by: Kolleen Lucariello

I recently came across a social media post that said, "You are living the life today that you prayed for yesterday." It made me pause and reflect. Am I? Am I truly living the life I once prayed for? In some ways, yes—but in others, not quite.

  As a newlywed, four hours felt too far from home, and I often let God know—repeatedly—“If You move us closer, then I’ll be content.” So, I set out to make that happen. I diligently searched for a job for Pat, watching as friends and family moved away while we stayed in the same place. Frustrated, I protested, “God, don’t You want me to be happy?”

Looking back, I can’t imagine how many prayers followed the same pattern: “If You do this for me, God, then I promise I’ll do this for You.” Or the all-too-familiar “If You love me, then You will…” prayer. Over time, this mindset shaped a belief that it was always up to me to make things happen—especially when I became convinced God wanted the same thing I wanted. After all, I knew what was best for me long before He did… right?

I never realized how limiting some of my beliefs were until the Lord began pointing out the difference between a contractual relationship and a covenantal one. In a contractual relationship, I become the negotiator in my faith walk—trusting Him only as far as I believe I can control Him. And if that’s the case, then I control the terms—just like a contract:

• I will give what I’m comfortable with and no more.

• I will follow to this point and never beyond.

• If I don’t approve of or like what I see, I reserve the right to walk away.

He's helped me see how often my experiences in human relationships shape the way I approach my relationship with Him. If I must earn love and approval from people, then certainly, I must earn God's love and approval, too. If I feel unseen, unwelcome, and unwanted by others, how can I truly believe that God sees me, welcomes me, and desires me?

In a contractual relationship, I try to shape God into my image rather than allowing Him to shape me into His. Eventually, He becomes who I think He should be—who I want Him to be—rather than who He truly is. We cannot hold Him to the same standard as people. Instead, those in Christ are called to rise and #stand in their kingdom identity. Remember, “God is not human, that he should lie, not a human being, that he should change his mind. Does he speak and then not act? Does he promise and not fulfill?” (Numbers 23:19, NIV). Real transformation in our lives happens when we shift from a contractual mindset to a covenantal one in our relationship with God.

In Genesis 15, God “cut a covenant” with Abraham and it was life-altering. It didn’t just bless Abraham—it redefined him. It established his identity, making him the father of faith. His descendants became God’s chosen people, and through him, all nations would be blessed.

One of the most remarkable aspects of God’s covenant with Abraham was that He alone carried out an act that was traditionally a mutual agreement. In this blood covenant, God took full responsibility, while Abraham was not required to uphold any conditions—an uncommon practice in that culture. Only God passed through the pieces, binding Himself completely to the promise. Abraham never walked through, signifying that the covenant did not rest on his ability to keep it.

This blood covenant was not a contract between two parties—it was a divine promise from God that was unilateral, transformational, and eternal. It was a foreshadowing of the New Covenant that would come through the shed blood of Jesus. “After supper, he took another cup of wine and said, ‘This cup is the new covenant between God and his people—an agreement confirmed with my blood, which is poured out as a sacrifice for you’” (Luke 22:20, NLT). Just as God alone walked through the covenant with Abraham, Jesus alone carried the weight of the cross, bearing the sins of humanity.

We can either continue believing that God is after a business deal—spending our days striking up bargains—or we can break free from false contracts shaped by past experiences, emotions, and cultural mindsets. Remember, God freed Israel from the bondage of Egypt, but then He had to free Egypt from them. Breaking free from what’s familiar isn’t always easy, but true freedom comes when we surrender to the fullness of a covenant relationship with Jesus. By renouncing these false contracts and embracing God’s covenant, we step into our true identity—one that, like Abraham’s, is transformed and rooted in Him, not in our past, emotions, or culture.

Your relationship with God was never meant to be contractual. His commitment to you has always been rooted in His faithfulness, not your perfection. You are seen, wanted, and welcomed by Him—not because of your performance, but because His love is unconditional. So, put down deep roots in His love. Seek to obey Him out of love, not obligation.

Jesus loved the Father and obeyed Him because of their covenant relationship. He didn’t negotiate terms; He fulfilled the covenant in full.

Abraham was able to #StandUnwavering because "he did not waver in unbelief about the promise of God but was strengthened in faith, giving glory to God. He was fully convinced that what God promised he was also able to do" (Romans 4:21-22, NET).

This is how we, too, can #StandUnwavering!