I am coming soon. Hold fast to what you have, so that no one will take your crown. Revelation 3:11
“Remember how the crown was attained by those whose sufferings gave new radiance to their faith. The whole company of saints bears witness to the unfailing truth that without real effort no one wins the crown.”
Thomas Becket (1118-1170) in Letter 74 as recounted Milton Walsh in Witness of the Saints: Patristic Readings in the Liturgy of the Hours (San Francisco: Ignatius Press, 2012) 618.
Becket speaks with strength because he himself engaged real effort and experienced martyrdom while serving as Archbishop of Canterbury. While I won’t elaborate on his story, which is interesting, let us ponder the idea of “real effort.”
As we do, what comes into view is that “holding fast” appears for each of us as the “real effort” that leads to the reward of a crown from our Lord. The evil one aims to divide, defeat, depress, and discourage us in our service to God. He wants to steal our reward.
We must hold fast. In his day, Becket realized that his generous contribution was holding fast trusting in our Lord despite difficulties or opposition. That’s what we get to do while waiting for His deliverance or His return.
So, whether you are waiting on the Lord for something or laboring for Him, know that your real effort, your generous service is holding fast. Do it no matter the cost because this assures your eternal reward.