The Stand

As I look at the world around me I see something that hasn't changed no matter the geography, political climate, or religious background, I see hate.  And that is really getting me down right now.  I guess that's one of the things about me that I am at the same time thankful and occasionally resentful about, the ability to feel what's around me.  Going from a place where those around me were centered on Christ to a place where everyone should be centered on God but seem to have a slightly different center has been a bit disconcerting to say the least.  And right now I am feeling that along with the hate around me and it's putting me off center. It's taking me away from my God who needs to be my all in all and that is what's getting me down.  Yet whenever something like this happens God has a way of sending me a message, a simple piece of piano music, an encouragement from a friend, or a whisper in the wind that says, "I'm still here and, no matter what those around you do or are, I Am Love and I Am with you."

The simple truth I am broken and still I am loved is the only thing that gives me the strength to go on some days.  Today is one of those days, and how awesome is my God who, though he doesn't have to, pours that love on me when I least deserve it.  My answer to the hate around me is that to God there is a right and a wrong, yet above it all God cares for and loves every person.  Ignore either of them and you end up with someone who's less than God, but take them together and you have a call to be different when so many people are choosing the easy way.

Taking a stand isn't changing one thing and ignoring the rest, it is leaving yourself behind and letting God pull you up to him out of your brokenness and blindness to his healing and love.  Time to stand amid hate and self-centeredness and heal the broken and downtrodden.



Taking The Stand,
Joshua