During the IHOP-M equipping meeting, Josh Eaton and team were singing the chorus, “Stand and serve in the house of the Lord.” I remember hearing that chorus a few years ago after the OneThing. It was an evening set and I had gone back into the IHOP in KC and Corey Asbury and team were doing this rocking chorus based on 2 Chronicles 29:11 — we stand, we serve, we minster, we burn!
The word stand was highlighted to me. Standing – it’s like when Paul says in Ephesians 6, “having done all, to stand firm.” When you think you can’t stand anymore; when you have weak knees and tired legs; it is then that you push through and remain standing. Day after day we stand, in the place of prayer; in the place of worship; in the place of service … because that is what those who are called to be ministers in the house of the Lord do. Standing is a physical activity that may not even sound that rigorous until you do it for an extended period of time. My friend, Joey, told me that when he was in boot camp for the US Marine Corps, he would have to stand at attention — sometimes for hours. Not only is it painful physically in your feet (or lower back if you are standing improperly), but he said it is pretty boring. However, if you are strong mentally, you can push past the physical aspect.
The definition of standing is: Maintaining a specific posture or position. To be in a position to gain or lose because of an action taken or a commitment made. To successfully endure (Standing against the storm). To tolerate without flinching; to bear courageously.
I picture Gandalf in Lord of the Rings when he is standing over a deep chasm, staff in hand, thundering at the fiery Balrog, “YOU. SHALL. NOT. PASS!” This is where the line has been drawn and you are willing to take a stand against whatever dares to cross that line. You aren’t shrinking back or crouching in fear. You are standing. Resolute. Firm. You might even lose your life because of it, but they say “the man who finds his life will lose it … But, oh, the man that has the faith to lose it will find that his life is saved.”
When we are wiling to stand firm without compromise — in love and joy in the midst of the crazy swirl of everything going around us — that is a mark of someone clothed in the armour of Christ. That is the mark of a true minister of the gospel of peace and a warrior of truth. May I be one who has the strength, having done all, to stand.