stand
“O Canada, we stand on guard for thee” is a line from our national anthem. Election results are in and Canadians have shown where they stand. When I was in elementary school, our class would start the day by marching single file into the hallway and meet the other students filing from their rooms to stand with us on the linoleum at attention while we sang the national anthem. My problem was that I would lock my knees, start feeling light headed and then not so gracefully faint onto the floor often banging my head. Eventually, the teacher would bring a chair for me and I would be allowed to sit because standing on my own only caused a disruption and a headache for me.
In 2014, Henry Jackman composed a song entitled, Taking a Stand for the movie, Captain America: The Winter Soldier. When the composer put the film’s music score together, he wanted to capture the audience through a blend of modern and traditional superheroic sounds and scores. When one listens to the music, you are transported by the “strong, sort of slightly powerful tune.” https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ENzNJiQNSCc Have a listen!
Lately, we hear the phrase, “stand in my truth.” What exactly does that mean? Is your truth better or worse than mine? Do you want to stand out from the crowd? I do believe there is only God’s truth and that never fails. Whether it’s the sentinels standing at attention in their uniforms or a music stand holding the score for a conductor; eventually they will need to be retired or they wear out. When we stand on God’s promises, we stand on the Rock of our Salvation and truth and justice reign forever.
Jesus stood in front of Pilate. Daniel and his three friends, Mishael, Hananiah, and Azariah. took a stand against eating the food of the king’s table. David stood up to Goliath. Paul tells us in Ephesians 6:13 to “take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day and having done all, to stand firm.” We are also to “be watchful, stand firm in the faith…” 1 Corinthians 16:13a
Some people say that if you stand for anything, you will fall for it too. What do you stand for? Justice? Truth? Jesus? Maybe it’s time to take a stand.