Standing Tall

How many of you were blessed by SEYC this past weekend? I'm so thankful to be ReGenerated! Last night I made a commitment to stand up for Jesus. I've been on the Mason-Dixon line. When I was little I asked my mom why Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego didn't just pretend to "tie their shoes" when the music played and they were supposed to bow down. I always struggled with being different in public school--Why don't you go to dances? Eww, what are you eating? Why can't you do stuff on Saturday? And then I dreaded graduating here and once again going out in the world--to be different. I know, Jesus was different, but what if I didn't want to be different like him? It didn't help me to know that Jesus was spit upon so I shouldn't mind being spit upon. It didn't make it any easier to be mocked and made fun of. Then Ivor Myers spoke about looking at the face of Jesus. Jesus beheld the face of God every single day and was bruised for it. Would I miss out on Heaven for something? Would I miss out for blending in with the world? Is that worth it? Am I willing to obey the Word, even if it causes me to die? I need to stop looking at my tiny wounds and look at His wounds to be healed! The glory of God is to be willing to be spit on, marred, and to take on the character of God. When that glory shines in our faces, we won't be ashamed to be different. It's not about self, it's about God. Wow. Then last night I realized that I was on the Mason-Dixon line. I was wearing both blue and gray in order to fit in with either side. Around my Christian friends it's easy to wear all blue. I was one who would probably pretend to tie my shoes, or wear a little gray to blend in with the world. I want to be like Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego to stand up for Christ even if everyone around me isn't.

Jesus, I My Cross Have Taken, 325

Jesus, I my cross have taken,
All to leave and follow Thee;
All things else I have forsaken;
Thou from hence my all shalt be.
Perish every fond ambition,
All I've sought, or hoped, or known;
Yet how rich is my condition,
While I prove the Lord my own.

Let the world despise and leave me--
They have left my Savior, too;
Human hearts and looks deceive me--
Thou art faithful,
Thou art true.
O, 'tis not in grief to harm me,
While Thy love is left to me;
O, 'twere not in joy to charm me,
If that love be hid from me.

Soul, then know thy full salvation:
Rise o'er sin, and fear, and care;
Joy to find in every station
Something still to do or bear.
Think what Spirit dwells with-in thee;
Think what Father's smiles are thine;
Think that Jesus died to win thee;
Child of Heaven, canst thou repine?

Haste thee on from grace to glory,
Armed by faith and winged by prayer;
Heaven's eternal day's before thee;
God's own hand shall guide thee there.
Soon shall close thy earthly mission,
Soon shall pass thy pilgrim days;
Hope shall change to glad fruition,
Faith to sight, and prayer to praise.

-Henry F. Lyte