Where I Stand
It seems everywhere we turn, someone wants to know where we stand.
Rich Mullins wrote a song called “If I Stand“, and for me it conveys where I stand perfectly.
Sometimes, it can be unnerving to explain your position. It is especially exasperating when your answer is clearly not what the person wants to hear. Mostly when some well-meaning (or information seeking) person asks where you stand, they are expecting you to choose a side specifically.
There are moments when your response is brutally disappointing.
When you choose your own side, by stepping out on faith and being like Jesus.
When you choose to do what is right and biblical, regardless of what others may think.
When you make a prayerful decision instead of hustling to fight or campaign for a cause.
Sometimes you choose a side and leave the rest up to God, recognizing he is always in control and he always has a plan.
Maybe instead of asking people what they think of a current situation or issue, we should be asking them if they care at all. I don’t mean to be callous, but let’s face it, some may have big life things they are dealing with. Those things may be bigger to them than the information seekers’ agenda. Maybe they already decided, and it’s over for them. Maybe they need to get back to their life.
Is this you?
Maybe there is a crisis of epic proportions you are dealing with. Financial craziness, sick family members, aging parents, and workplace stress are a few things that tend to take precedence over choosing a side. After all, you have a life to live. There are responsibilities and accountability to your family. There is a calendar with obligations, kids’ activities, and grocery shopping. There is also personal wellness to be considered.
For some of you, choosing a side just isn’t your jam. There are days when the side you choose must be your own. Choosing to deal with your own life is not a bad thing- it’s a biblical thing. You have to take care of your own house first- when I say house I mean your personal wellness, family, or the actual home.
You choose not to be so involved in the politics of the places and people around you. You have an opinion, but you choose to keep it to yourself and move on. You choose to focus on Jesus and what he expects of you. Here is a good start, in Galatians.
He says to be still. Sometimes, you don’t have it in you to fight in a situation, because you are already hanging by a thread.
He says to love one another, so when sides are chosen and fights get picked and rooms become awkward, you choose to stay back, away from the chaos.
He says to build his kingdom, spreading the gospel. When choices must be made to move forward with his plan, you move forward, because going backward is not biblical and doesn’t make any sense. You do it quietly because all you can do is be obedient to the Holy Spirits’ voice and part of that is living.
He says to give it all to him, so you give it all to him- your children, your family, your spouse, your time and your money, because nothing is more precious than Jesus.
If this is you, and you are tired of the drama which surrounds making a choice or choosing a side, be done with it. Make your decision quietly. Ask your questions of educated, considerate people. Ignore the negative, choose to look at the Bible first, the physical facts next. Find out where your faith lies. Cast your decision. Lay it down for Jesus and he will show you the way.
XOXO,
