Standing Alone

         

           I remember as graduation from high school neared, I along with about ten others from my class, sat around a large table in the Media Center/Library.  Somehow the conversation turned to drug use.  Each person around the table shared just a little about their experience, even if it was “just trying it once,” with drug exploits.  I was the only one at the table who did not have a story to share! Thankfully, the sharing wasn’t in order, but rather randomly across the table, so I’m not sure who or how many even noticed that I did not participate in “the sharing!”

            Standing alone can be horribly difficult.  It takes conviction and determination to go against the grain, and sometimes those people who you have always called “friend,” or perhaps worse, your family! Our nation’s history records such an incident which certainly must have created uncomfortable scenarios between many involved on both sides of the equation; the North and the South. Records show Andrew Johnson, a democrat during the Civil War era and sitting senator for Tennessee, a slave state, stayed solid with the Union, even when his home state was seceding from the Union as they formed the Confederate States of America.

            Politics are often a great topic of discussion, and sometimes it can be very uncomfortable.  Often when in a conversation of this type, we prefer to have a partner or more than one or two other people who share our views. Politicians are very good at having a group of people who can support and strengthen their views.  It brings a degree of solidarity and confidence that enables the speaker to press on, knowing if he falters, likely someone else will step in to pick up the slack.

            This concept is also true in the sports arena. A sport team relies on every one of the members to score points.  No team can win effectively when all the scoring is dependent on a single player. It takes everyone’s participation! This is also true during a debate.  Not everyone thinks the same or at the same speed!  Experience often dictates how we think, react and respond to given situations and discussion.

            When Christ walked the Earth, twelve ordinary men were called to walk and minister with him.  Jesus taught, demonstrated and trained daily, the truths he knew these men would need to know when his work on Earth was finished.

            The day came when Jesus stood alone and faced the angry mob as Pilate washed his hands of the entire situation.  Christ knew he would suffer pain and would ultimately stand alone on the cross as He would be the ultimate sacrifice for the world.

            We all have situations where we are called to stand alone, much like I did in high school, or in other discussions where there is great disagreement.  Fear can cause us to withdraw from what we know we really need to do.  We freeze and are unable to share our view, even when it's the message of Christ, for any variety of reasons. That’s when we really need to rely on God for guidance in our conversations and our lives in general.

            I encourage you to share your faith testimony, even if it means you must stand alone.