Stand still! Don鈥檛 move!
An almost impossible physical task. Have you ever observed a 鈥渓iving statue鈥 performing or busking in a shopping mall or public space? Standing seemingly immobile requires continuous work in positioning and balance from feet and legs to core and on up. Although the noun 鈥 a stand 鈥 indicates a static object, the verb 鈥 to stand 鈥 is full of movement. We stand for, stand with, stand on, stand by, stand against, stand before. The verb is intentional. It is not lazy or forgetful.
What do I stand for? One thing I stand for is truth. How do I discover truth, engage in truth, hold to truth despite its competition with swirling untruths and attractive conspiracy theories? The task requires that I keep my mental and spiritual muscles active, examining, testing, discerning, praying. Like the work of physical standing, there is profound and engaged activity required.
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What do I stand on? I stand on the word of God found in Scripture, in the depths of my heart, and in the wisdom spoken or written by trusted spiritual companions, both current and ancient. Years ago, I was confronted by an enthusiastic believer who asked, 鈥淒o you stand on the word of God?鈥 鈥淥f course,鈥 I replied. She then put her Bible on the floor and challenged, 鈥淧rove it. Stand on it!鈥 Taken aback, I refused. 鈥淣o stance of faith requires tricks to prove it.鈥 Standing on truths discerned in the sacred writings of our various spiritual traditions, in the counsel of wise others, and in the depths of our heart requires that we recognize, name and honor the fruits of that discernment and then embody the discovered truths for ourselves and for others, sometimes in joy with the wind at our back, sometimes with courage while buffeted by a storm.
Who do I stand with? I stand in solidarity with the poor. Poor in spirit, poor in nourishment, poor in health resources, poor in peace, safety and security, poor in education and opportunity. Poor in all the things I simply take for granted. Why do I stand with the poor? Because I believe all humans, all children of God, are equally deserving of physical and spiritual well-being and dignity. I recognize my contributions are but a minuscule drop in the bucket. But I also have a voice. I can loudly call out to as many as might hear, 鈥淚f you too stand with the poor, put a drop in the bucket.鈥
Am I ever tempted to just stand by? The television news recently showed a frightening abduction attempt of a screaming student on a college campus. Even more horrifying in the footage was the image of a young man sitting on the grass nearby, watching it all unfold, doing nothing. A television newscast the same day reported on a group of total strangers on an interstate who stopped and leapt into action, risking their own lives to rescue a man trapped in his burning car. When confronted with circumstances requiring action from 鈥渟omeone,鈥 do I engage, or stand by?
What about my civic engagement? Am I keeping myself informed? Am I exercising my right to vote for persons seeking national, state, or local office, from president on down to members of my local school board? Or do I stand by?
Who do I stand before? We each stand before someone or something far greater than ourselves, infinite, beyond imagination, definition or control. I say it is God, although the word God 鈥 because it sometimes is used in limiting ways 鈥 is ever inadequate to express the fullness of God鈥檚 being.
I stand before God. I am known by God, who knows me better than I know myself (Psalm 139). God does not stand before me, so I can bring my causes and complaints for solution. I stand before God, open to life鈥檚 unfolding and revealing. And when the going gets tough, I stand before God, open still.
A song released in 2000 by the bluegrass Southern gospel group, The Isaacs, says it well (edited): 鈥淪tand still and let God move. Standing still is hard to do. When the storm around you rages, and you鈥檙e tossed to and fro. Stand still and let God move.鈥
Because we ascertained that physically standing in total stillness is difficult, try this as a variation on the Isaacs鈥 song: Sit comfortably. Feet flat on floor. Relax your neck, shoulders, arms, stomach, all the way down to your toes. Quiet your mind. Close your eyes. Breathe slowly and evenly in and out. Focus on these words: 鈥淏e still, and know that I am God鈥 (Psalm 46:10). Let God move.
Finally, imagine the outcomes if we, all children of God, in our various spiritual paths and practices, could stand together for the good of each other, for the good of all the nations of the Earth, and for the good of creation.
Tucson faith leaders, we would like to include your original sermon or scriptures of encouragement. Sermons must be written by the person submitting them, not borrowed from another source or writer. If you are a faith leader from any religion or denomination, please contact Sara Brown at sbbrown@tucson.com.