Tuesday, June 13, 2017

Standing Up vs. Walking In

The Most Adorable Little Man!
It's SUMMER! Summer for Britt means a little more time and usually some goal setting, because nothing motivates more than a checklist and a plan #TYPEAPROBS. I really enjoy writing, not that I have much wisdom to share, but because through writing I get to make sense of things and try to understand what God is teaching this ordinary girl about His extraordinary ways. So, here's to sorting through the many thoughts that go through my head each day, weeding out the thoughts about my to-do list, Insta posts, Pinterest projects, coffee visits, etc. and trying to hold on to the thoughts that may be worth sharing ;). 

My adorable nephew Kenai has been standing for months, but he just took his first steps the day before his birthday this week! The standing, although a feat in itself, was much easier to master than the walking. Even so, Kenai's walk is more of a wobbly quick stepping until he falls in the arms of his amazing parents, or his little bum hits the ground. Nevertheless, ten steps is officially a walk in my book (said Proud Auntie B). 

After reading a Facebook post on "standing up" for what you believe in, I got to thinking about how "standing up" is a one time event, but I don't know that "standing up" is used in the Bible as we use it in our posts and posters. And, If I've learned one thing in the past few years, it's that words get twisted, connotations change, and the only words that can truly be trusted are found in the Bible itself. God's Word trumps friends, the latest Christian author release, and even sermons.

So, many times when I hear the phrase"stand up for what you believe in," I get the picture of someone glaring down at another with a pointer finger in their face. In our current day and culture, the phrase "stand up" sometimes carries with it a negative connotation. The crazy thing is, I don't find "Stand Up" in the Bible, but rather "Stand Firm." Stand Firm is used many times throughout scripture and often changed to "Be Steadfast" or "Hold Fast" (Hebrews 10:23, Hebrews 3:14, 1 Cor. 16:13, 1 Cor 15: 58). Thank you Jesus for key word study Bibles!

Hold Fast: keep, maintain. When "Hold Fast" is used in the Bible it's typically a call for us as Christians, not for others. For us to hold fast to God's word, to hold fast in one's mind/heart.

We twist the phrase stand firm, to stand up implying that we are to do a radical act for the Lord, when ultimately, He calls us to walk with Him in obedience while He does a radical work in the lives of others through us. This doesn't mean we don't act, but we act humbly with confidence in Christ as He would have us act. We aim to act, walk, and live out of humility, meekness, service, and love for the Kingdom.

Walk: to live, follow, go, be occupied with. "Whoever says he abides in him ought to walk in the same way in which he walked." (1 John 2:6).


"Standing up" implies that we act on a one time event, where "walking in" or "standing firm," implies that we are walking in step with God daily. It's a lot harder to continually and internally be firm and in step with the Lord, than it is to "stand up" and sit back down. I don't do a great job in this, in fact, many times my walking in Christ is about as confident as Kenai's first steps, but my prayer is that my lifestyle in Christ and my relationship with others will be more of a walking in, rather than a series of one time events. I don't want to live a life of quick fixes and time out cheers for Christ, but rather a lifestyle of being matured by Christ and acting accordingly. I don't want to shout "STAND UP" at the world who doesn't know Jesus and then sit back down in frustration, but rather to walk with Jesus and see others come to Him as they join the journey following the Bible as a map to the Kingdom. 

When Kenai wobbles, his momma and daddy and there to catch him, just as I know that our good God is walking each step with us. Even when we're asked to walk paths that are tricky, He is there to hold us up. He even asks us to walk beside others who are wobbling too, which is another post for another day :). 

4 comments:

  1. Such wisdom. The act of walking requires balance and implies there is purpose or direction. When I think of standing firm, it makes me think if living in west Texas where the wind gusts constantly. Sometimes it's a battle to just STAY and not be moved but it's actively fighting the gusts. I love this analogy, Britt! Really will need to chew on this until we meet next week! I love you, friend! Thanks for sharing!!��

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    1. Love your analogies Donna . . . Especially the west Texas wind 😉 This whole blog is very insightful

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  2. This is amazing . . . thank you so much for sharing your heart. Love the person God has created you to be and your willingness to stand firm. Keeping walking and sharing your light!! Love you

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