Called to Stand - May 7, 2009

Good Thursday morning! The visit with the dentist is over for this week and I am grateful for that! I see that the winner of the Miss USA contest is getting far less media exposure (pun intended) than the runner up this year. In case you have been busy lately, Miss California took a stand in support of traditional marriage in her interview on stage. Of course, the media has done the "ooh, how intolerant!" thing...and you can see it coming. Yup, racy photo has surfaced. We seem to be doing the same ol' song and dance. Taking a public stand against most secular groups will incite a reaction. Some groups are more vocal than others, some are among the media favorites, and someday you or I may have to take a public stand for what we believe in. Yes, each of us takes a stand every day for Christ, but how many of us have done it on national television? 

One day any or all of us might be in the public eye for a time. For some that is an exciting thought, for most of us it brings fear and dread. Celebrity or fame is a tough road to walk, but it can also bring tremendous opportunities to take a stand for Christ. The question of how to handle a situation like that is what gives most of us the shakes. Today we face a possibility of exposure that is far greater than at any time in history. Want to run for public office? You might find opponents digging up photos or videos you didn't even realize existed. Want to become famous? Better watch everything you ever said from birth; someone will dig up a person from your past with embarrassing things to say about you. In fact, if you decide to run for public office, you might want to just say something controversial on both sides of a popular topic. That way you have the contradiction and the intolerance of both views right up front. Might as well get it out of the way so to speak. :-) 

Jesus gave us guidance on this. He told the disciples that they would be hauled before the courts and not to worry about what to say at those times. Stephen faced the Sanhedrin, the equivalent for us of being called before Congress. The Holy Spirit spoke through Stephen in such a powerful manner and with such words that his face glowed until no one could stand to look at him. We don't have to worry or dread a public moment. However, there is preparation that can be done. Memorize verses from the Bible. The exercise is not only enlightening, but good for our witness. Think of memorized Bible verses as stocking your Christian too belt with tools. Do you want to show up for the job with an empty tool belt? Think that you can't memorize Bible verses? Start with John 11:35 in the King James version of the Bible. "Jesus wept." I think you can memorize that one. :-) "But what good is that verse?" you might ask. Wouldn't quoting that verse alone cause immediate questions? Engaging the curiosity of a non-believer is a good way to get started. Of course most folks would want to know why Jesus wept, and then we can tell them.

Enjoy the day in Christ Jesus!

Bucky