For about a month now, I’ve been taking the command to abide in Christ more seriously than I ever have before.
That looks like getting up earlier, journaling and reading my Bible more regularly than in the past. (Novel idea, I know.) One of the key things I’ve learned during this time is to listen. Be still and listen. During several of my “listening sessions” recently, I was led to scriptures dealing with a specific word: “Stand.”
For example, if you look at the verses in Ephesians 6:11-18 about the armor of God, notice how many times the word “stand” is used (emphasis added):
Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil. For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places. Therefore 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. Stand therefore, having fastened on the belt of truth, and having put on the breastplate of righteousness, and, as shoes for your feet, having put on the readiness given by the gospel of peace. In all circumstances take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming darts of the evil one; and take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God, praying at all times in the Spirit, with all prayer and supplication.
It’s clear to me that over the last few weeks God is calling me to stand! So as I spent time with him this morning, I came up with an acronym of what it can look like to stand:
S → Seek him
T → Trust and Test what he says
A → Admit you are weak
N → Name your struggles
D → Disciple others
Let me lay out how I think this works. First, we have to seek God. We have to be in communication with him. We have to yearn for him more than we want the things he can give us. It all starts there.
Next, we have to trust what he says is true, and then test that against scripture and wise counsel to make sure we aren’t inserting our own selfish desires and confusing that with what he says.
Then we have to admit that we are weak – that we can’t do this on our own. Too many times we try to rely on our own strength, and we make really horrible little gods. We are not enough. But God is.
Next, it’s about naming our struggles. I think too many times we stick our heads in the sand instead of admitting our problems. We want to hide them, hoping they’ll just go away. Can I be honest? No problem has ever been solved by pretending it doesn’t exist. When we name something we gain power over it. Name your struggles!
Finally, we are called to make disciples. I’ve become really interested in addiction counseling lately, so I picked up the Alcoholics Anonymous “Big Book.” Something that really stood out to me was the call for those who struggle with alcohol to turn around and help others who struggle. In helping others who struggle, you yourself are reminded of the truths that helped pull you out of addiction. The same is true in our Christian walk. We don’t have to be perfect to help those around us. And by doing so we’re reminded of the truths that helped call us out of a life of sin.
So, here’s my question: Are you STANDing? If so, let me know. And if you have your own acronym, make sure to share it.
But whatever you do, remember to S.T.A.N.D.!