All my life, whether it be in school, at home, church, with friends, in almost any situation, I have been taught to stand up for what I believe in and to myself be true. It’s one of those sayings that I tend to throw to the back of my mind when I hear it. It has the same effect as when someone says “Don’t worry, one day you will be able to do…” and so on, and so forth. The reassuring statement.
But as I have grown older, I have come to understand the importance of paying attention to this piece of advice. Stand up for what you believe in. What exactly does it refer to? Does it refer to our specific belief systems, or something we love or can’t live without?
Stand up
The Bible talks all about standing, whether it be for the faith, in battle, for the voiceless, and the list goes on. To stand up for something as a Christian is to deny the self and let God do the rest.
We must seek God’s wisdom on everything, knowing that it is ‘not by might nor by power, but by my Spirit, says the Lord Almighty’ (Zechariah chapter 4, verse 6). In order for us to know what God’s will is, it is important for us to firstly seek and know the will of God. For it is not our will, but His will that will be done. We need to be willing and obedient to speak and act when God wants us to. If we speak or act at the wrong time, damage will be done. We must have a servant heart and listen to God.
With politics, social issues and contested debates circulating our news sources nonstop, how much more of a warning can we Christians take before we realise God is alerting us to stand up? Everyone has something that makes them heavy-hearted or makes their blood boil—often something they believe in strongly. But as Christians, we have the potential to be a force to be reckoned with if we are all seeking God’s will to be done on earth as it is in heaven. ‘Rise up; this matter is in your hands. We will support you, so take courage and do it.’ (Ezra chapter 10, verse 4).
A tree in the forest stands tall and firm, even the wind cannot knock it down. We need to be the same. Ephesians chapter 6, verse 13 says: ‘Therefore put on the full armour of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand.’
When people try to knock me down, it inspires me to be stronger. I was taught that often when people come against me or I suffer for what I believe in, it’s there that I have the most influence or ability to change my immediate world. I’ve come to realise that this is all working towards a bigger purpose. Much like the body of Christ, we each have parts that we play with roles and responsibilities, and if we each play our part towards God’s will, then God’s will as it is in heaven, will be on earth.
For what you believe in
There is a lot of entitlement these days. It seems he or she who screams the loudest is the most entitled. Everyone seems to be entitled to having their way, blocking the opinions of others for the sake of themself, or silencing the voices of those people who have equal right to an opinion and to simply be heard. As a community, we need to stand up and be just and kind to one another, without an entitled attitude. After all, we are all human.
When you feel like your voice is being oppressed, God is not telling you to remain silent, he wants you to roar his name out like a lion.
Armies
As Christians, it is our duty to bring glory to God’s name, and to help others seek and find him. We are his servants. The thing is, when we as Christians decide to join together as an army of God, our voices rumble the earth.
When we choose not to raise our voices, or join together as one, as the body of Christ that God intended, or when we rely on churches or other institutions to speak on our behalf and they don’t, we are like a lone person screaming the wilderness, wasting our God-given abilities to do what he wants us to do—to pray, be strong, stand and spread his word.
Standing together and joining the army of God does not mean becoming spiteful, hateful, or unloving—nor does it mean agreeing with the scream’s and what they have to say. The Bible says in 1 Corinthians chapter 16, verses 13 and 14: ‘Be on your guard; stand firm in the faith; be courageous; be strong. Do everything in love.’
When we come together and stand strong in our faith, nothing can knock us down. It is not the numbers that help win the battles we face, although they do help, it is the faith and the strength we have as followers and willing servants of our Lord.
I encourage you, be strong, rise up and STAND. It will not be overlooked.
‘Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.’ (Matthew chapter 5, verse 10).
Cartia Moore is a connoisseur of fine chocolate and a sword fighter, trained and skilled in the art of fencing. She is currently studying a Bachelor of Arts, majoring in Screen & Media Studies, and minoring in Drama and Creative Writing. Her focus is film, television and swordfighting sequences.