Tuesday, April 24, 2007

Stand

Last night on American Idol, all of the singers chose songs that were inspirational to them and that they would call their "life anthem." As the show was going on, I started thinking about what my song would be if I were on the show. (I hear you smirking, no I don't have delusions that I would be on the show....) I was running it through my mind and trying to come up with something that really had meaning to me, and wasn't just a "nice thought." I finally came up with it. I think I would use the song "Stand" by Donnie McClurkin. That song is so powerful! I remember watching him sing it on tv after 9/11, and feeling all of the emotion come right through the screen. Now, I'm usually not much of a cryer. In fact, I'm pretty good at "choking 'em back," but I even think a couple of tears might have squirted out that day. Anyway, before I could even mention to Anne what I was thinking about, she said, "Someone should have sung Stand by Donnie McClurkin." I couldn't believe it! We had a genuine "old-married-couple-mind-meld!" I think it might have been a milestone in our relationship. Okay, back to the song. It's based on Ephesians 6:11-18 which talks about putting on the full armor of God so that you may be able to stand your ground. It's so important in this day and age to recognize that we are in a spiritual war. A war against the "devil's schemes" as verse 11 puts it. I think the "devil's schemes" come at us in various ways. In our mind, he lies to us and tells us that we're not good enough to be a Christian, or that we can never make a difference. Or he attacks from the outside, maybe it's through that family member who continually ridicules you because of your faith. Either way, when we allow the armor of God to be our protection, we can see through these lies for what they really are. Then, as we take up the sword of the Spirit, we can walk in confidence that God's promises are true. My mom has had two bouts with breast cancer. The most recent bout was last year. One day, as I was walking into my parent's house I saw a sticky note posted on their refrigerator that summed up her feelings on the whole matter. It said, "Devil, get ready for a fight!" I loved that! She had decided that she wasn't going to listen to the lies that the devil was putting into her head, and was taking up the sword of the Spirit to fight and claim God's promise that she was healed. In a word, she's was going to Stand. Sometimes, after we've done all that we know how to do, that's all that is left. Ephesians 6:13 says, "and after you have done everything, to stand."

Stand- By Donnie McClurkin

What do you do
when you've done all you can
And it seems like it's never enough?
And what do you say
when your friends turn away,
you're all alone?
Tell me, what do you give
When you've given your all,
and seems like
you can't make it through?
[Chorus]
Well, you just stand
When there's nothing left to do
You just stand
Watch the Lord see you through
Yes, after you've done all you can
You just stand

1 comment:

Becky Jo said...

I love that song too. We sang it in our illustrated sermons in March.