Standin’ Tall
Well, Buttercup, I reckon that it’s ‘bout time for you to be ‘a-pullin’ up one o’ them there ol’ porch rockers that ain’t gone to squeakin’ like a mouse choir and be settlin’ yourself in ‘cause we’re ‘bout to be ‘a-talkin’ ‘bout standin’ firm in a world that jes’ keeps ‘a-spinnin’ faster than a squirrel ‘a-tryin’ to outrun its own shadow. The Lord tucked Ephesians 4:14 into my heart the other day, where Paul warns us not to be tossed around like spiritual infants, blown here and there by every fancy idea that comes struttin’ through town. That there verse done hit me harder than a spooked rooster ‘a-flyin’ out of a feed bucket ‘cause it was ‘a-remindin’ me that if we ain’t ‘a-standin’ on God’s truth, we’re gonna be ‘a-floatin’ like a feather ‘a-tryin’ to decide where to be ‘a-landin’.
Now, my stars, Buttercup, you ever done seen a dead log ‘a-floatin’ down the creek? It ain’t choosin’ nothin’. It jus’ goes wherever the water done shoves it. Same with a feather. Same with a dandelion puff. Same with a confused lil’ ol’ chicken that done wandered too far from the chicken coop. An’ if’n we’re not careful, that is ‘zactly how we git’ to endin’ up in our faith. Jus’ ‘a-driftin’. Jus’ ‘a-floatin’. Jus’ ‘a- lettin’ the loudest voice or the newest trendin’ thang’ git to tellin’ us what we done are ‘a-needin’ to be ‘a-thinkin’.
But the Lord didn’t call us to be floaters. He done called us to be standers. Rooted. Grounded. Planted like a big ol’ oak tree that has done survived more storms than a weather app can predict. When that there culture goes ta’ shiftin’, God’s Word jes’ don’t. When folks’ opinions git’ to’ swirlin’, Scripture is ‘a-stayin’ put. When everybody else is ‘a-wanderin’ like lil’ ol’ confused goats in a foggy pasture, God done calls His people to be standin’ real firm on what He has done already told us in the scriptures.
Standin’ firm takes real character. Standin’ takes real conviction. Standin’ takes really knowin’ what you done believe and why you’re done believin’ it. And sometimes, standin’ means you are the only doggone one ‘a-standin’ upright while everybody else is ‘a-floatin’ downstream like sleepy ol’ turtles on a log. But the Lord sees what’s ‘a-happenin’. The Lord strengthens you. The Lord done steadies your feet when the wind tries to be ‘a-pushin’ you over.
Father, be ‘a-helpin’ me to be ‘a-standin’ when everything around me is ‘a-shiftin’ like a calf on ice. Be ‘a-keep in’ me rooted in Your Word. Be givin’ me courage when it would be easier to float. Be teachin’ me truth, anchorin’ me in it, and steadyin’ my heart so’s I can be honorin’ You. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
Now, I done declare, Buttercup, as you go to steppin’ right on back into your day, you gotta’ be realizin’ that God never, ever asked you to be a feather in the wind or a log in the current. He done asked you to stand. Stand real tall. Stand real steady. Stand real rooted. And when the world starts ta’ blowin’ like a storm through a chicken coop, you gotta’ jus’ plant your feet real deep in His truth and be ‘a-lettin’ Him be ‘a-holdin’ you real firm.
With joy,
Gwen
