It takes courage to stand

It takes courage to swim against the tide

What’s life worth without pressing in-

We can simply maintain statusquo

And make everybody happy.

But is that what Christ stood for?

Christ stood for truth

Christ stood for radical passion

Christ stood against compromise

Christ was ready to pay the price-

Even the supreme price-

For what He knew was truth.

Why hide away when the waves rise?

Why pretend all is well and hide-

When we know all is not well?

Why cower in fear & hide in silence-

Because you fear the reprimand?

Progress has always been led-

By men willing to risk it all.

Men who dared to jump off the edge-

Often landed on the side of history-

The good or bad side of history.

But those who remained in safety,

Usually never mattered for anything.

I was born for a fight.

Often I have cowered in darkness-

Satisfied to let historic moments slip.

But whenever I let my gut lead me-

I have often come out better off,

Even if more bruised and battered.

Don’t hide away from the fight.

Speak the truth in love.

Stand for truth.

Fight for truth.

And if you’re honestly wrong-

At least you stood for your convictions.

Silence is being complicit in wrong.

When you know wrong is wrong-

Why be silent about it?

Don’t be a coward!

Don’t hide in the cupboard.

Making history isn’t offered to fearful-

Fearful hearts and fearful men.

Don’t stagger at the chance to make it,

To stand for truth

To follow conviction.

Am done hiding.

I celebrate walking into the light.

Face the consequences-

Whether good or bad.

Take the risk.

Speak your conviction.

And let the chips fall where they will.

“O Lord, may I follow Your steps.

You’re my hero.

There are many brave heroes out there-

And each dared to live for –

And die for-

Something greater than themselves.

You’re my hero.

By your courage,

Entire humanity is offered freedom-

Eternal freedom.

You paid dearly for it-

But it was worth it.

“So I will walk in Your steps.

I will not hide away.

I will embrace Your Spirit.

And pursue Your vision.

And I will follow for Your leadership.

I will respect Your move in my heart,

And respond to it.

“In walking with You-

I know I may be unpopular,

Maybe rejected, maligned, pushed away.

But they did the same to You.

So it is not strange if it happens to me.

It’s expected.

“But You did not play the victim.

You did not hide away.

You did not indulge in self-pity.

You stood.

You raised Your voice.

You made Your heart heard.

You didn’t cringe.

You were violently humble-

And your violence was in humility.

In humility, You stood,

Never in defence of Yourself-

But in defence of Your convictions.

“I will not defend myself,

Because You did not defend Yourself.

You stood for a bigger purpose,

And You suffered it.

I must stand for a bigger purpose,

And I must be willing to take the risk-

Of suffering for it.

I will not hide Jesus,

Because You did not hide.

Give me Your strength to be like You

To pursue Your purpose

To be willing to rock the boat-

If rocking it brought about Your change.

Thank You Lord for I am not alone.

Amen.”