Stand

If there was ever a song with my name on it ... this is it. Funny how much more I would come to understand these lyrics in a way that I never thought I could. Walking in cold places of doubt, fear, unknown change, struggle, pain ... can cause you to question the one thing you thought you knew that you knew ... his presence in your life. I can attest to the fact that he was faithful not to leave me there in that cold windy place ... he spoke a simple word to my heart "Stand" ... Stand???? Why stand, Lord ...don't you see how I'm trying to keep warm, I'm trying to get to where I'm going (where ever that is???), I'm trying with everything I HAVE to just make it through each day ... and again it would come back upon my heart "Stand" ... and so in a moment of seeming insanity ... I obeyed his voice ... and simply .... stood ... still ... Amidst my circumstances - without anything changing --- I stood ... and in a moment ... he was there ... right beside me ...

Looking down the hill I just walked up, struggling ... I could see the imprint of his steps right next to mine. And clearly I knew I wasn't climbing alone. It wasn't with everything I HAD that I made it that far ... it was because he was there with me the whole way. I didn't see him when I was struggling ... why? Because of a sense that I was not deserving of such a gift of his grace ... that the God of heaven and earth would chose to walk beside me - knowing me as well as he did (and I believe he knows it ALL) ... BUT HE DID ... day in and day out ... step by every single heartbroken step ...

What do you do in a moment like this? You need to do something to remember this place, so that every time you think you are walking alone you can remember the spot where he simply said to your heart "Stand" ... the place you knew, I mean really knew, you'd never be forsaken or forgotten by him. Realizing how blinded you were by the storm and the cold. Stand ... because he is GRACE ... realize that you don't need to spend time and energy earning his presence ... he's there because he lives within you. What do you to remember such a place? Simply put ... do as those who loved him and knew him did long ago ... build an alter ... a place to sacrifice something of worth to a God that deserves more than we could ever give him ... and what do you place on that alter? The only thing he really wants ... the song from the deepest part of your soul ... why a song - because it's the rhythm of your heart, your soul, your being --- and let it sing the song that sings his praise for who he is. And you'll find you'll sing this song in every storm, on every hillside, in every trial ... and you'll remember ... he was with you!

"STAND" by Susan Ashton

With visible breath, I'm calling your name
With visible tracks, I'm finding my way
With a sorrowful heart, I honor this pain
And offer these tears to the rain
In a moment of truth at the top of the hill
I open my arms and let go of my will

And stand with my face to the wind
With the storm beating down on this sacred ground
If I stand for the grace that I've known
For what I believe
Then I won't stand alone
No I won't stand alone

There's a new pair of eyes to embrace all I see
A new peace of mind and it comes quietly
There's a joy in my heart that you've given to me
And I offer this soul's melody

So I beat on my chest till my song has been sung
And I cry like a wolf at the top of my lungs

And stand with my face to the wind
With the storm beating down on this sacred ground
If I stand for the grace that I've known
For what I believe
Then I won't stand alone
No I won't stand alone

When the thundering voices of doubt try to shake my faith, oh
I'll be listening from inside out and I won't be afraid to

Stand with my face to the wind
With the storm beating down on this sacred ground
If I stand for the grace that I've known
For what I believe
Then I won't stand alone
No I won't stand...I won't stand alone