What Do We Stand For?

"I searched for a man among them who would build up the wall and stand in the gap before Me for the land, so that I would not destroy it; but I found no one." Ezekiel 22:30 NASV.

My dad used to always tell the five of us, "If you don't stand for something, you will fall for anything." I have learned since my dad died in 1992 that he was a very wise man. Like any other teenager/young adult I found my dad's euphemisms annoying at best. But as I have, as my eye doctor enjoys saying, "grown older and wiser" I have learned he knew more than I thought he did.

So what do I stand for? First I stand for God and His Word. I would like to think that I do a good job at this but in reality, I'm not very good at it. Oh I teach Bible Studies and Sunday School Classes and have had a few VERY interesting conversations with evolutionists and atheists on Facebook, but all these have been on MY terms and in MY time. I often wonder how often I really stand up in GOD'S time and on GOD'S terms.

The second thing I stand for is Christianity. Please notice here that I did not give a specific denomination. In my life's journey, I have found Christians in almost every denomination, Protestant and Catholic. In fact on of the dearest Christians I have every known was a Catholic priest named Father Miller who served at Fort Knox while we were stationed there. We were newlyweds and he took us under his wing and helped us in our spiritual walk.

But do I go about and spread the Gospel? Well, yes and no. I don't give my testimony as often as I probably should, but then I find myself being a testimony when I am not aware of it. Case in point a Jehovah's Witness came to my door last month (he must have been a real go- getter because it is a half mile between houses out here!). Anyway, he came to my door and I answered it. He asked me to take his literature and I politely informed him that I was of another belief. Then we had a pleasant discussion about who the 144,000 in Revelation were. As he was leaving he thanked me for not "Sicing" my dogs on him (?????). I was extremely puzzled by that but I just let it pass. He offered me a piece of literature and I graciously took it. As we said good-bye he told me that he could see that I was "a nice, Christian lady" and once again thanked me for not "sicing" my dogs on him. ?????? Apparently there were Christians out there who don't answer their door, treat him rudely, slam the door in his face and send their dogs out to chase him off. I may not be the greatest witness for Christ but I would like to think I am better than that!

Then comes family and country. I am like a momma bear with one cub when someone attacks my family. I would not cover up wrong doing. I don't even do that for myself. If your wrong, your wrong. May as well stand up and say it. I feel the same way about my country. America is not always right but it provides me the privilege to have that discussion with the Jehovah's Witness without fear of retribution or death. We could agree to disagree and go on celebrating the freedom that some of the best and brightest of our young and old have fought and died for. I honor their memory by honoring our country and its flag.

I would imagine not many of you are old enough to remember Ray Stevens. He was mostly a comedic singer but sometimes he got serious about what he was singing. That was the type of song that has been running around in my head for weeks causing me to reflect on what I stand for. The name of the song is "Stand Up" and this is the chorus:

What'll make you stand up?
What'll make you rise
With a cheer on your lips
And a tear in your eyes?
What forges your Will
Not to budge one inch more?
What'll make you stand up? (Stand up)
It's time to stand up. (Stand up)
We've all got to stand up. (Stand up)
Stand up for what we stand for. (Stand up)
For what we stand for. (Stand up)

We've got to stand up. (emphasis mine)


In today's world where everyone is so worried about 'offending" someone I know I am not as prone to stand up, either for Christ or country. I believe there is disaster ahead for all of us if we
don't begin to stand up for what matters to us. Especially if we as Christians do not stand up for Christ. If we will not stand for Christ, do we really deserve the privilege of asking for His Blessings?