Standing up and standing alone

Have you ever stood alone in a crowd of people where you seem to be the lone person standing up for someone or something? I can imagine that looking around at all the eyes staring back at you, you might begin to sweat, swallow loudly, and wonder how you ended up in the mess in which you now find yourself. It might be holding your ground to do what you feel is right among people who don’t see it the way you do. Or you might find yourself standing up for someone else who is at risk of bodily harm because of bigotry or prejudice. Our own Lutheran heritage tells us that even Martin Luther felt that way at Worms when he is believed to have stood his ground before the emperor. “Here I stand; I can do no other.”

Jesus stood in an angry crowd of people who believed he was breaking their Sabbath laws. He looked around, stood his ground and healed the man with the withered hand anyway. We must take a stand; we can do no other. It isn’t easy, but it is always right to do right.

God, help me to do right, even when it is hard or unpopular. Amen. — LAC