“For the Spirit God gave us does not make us timid, but gives us power, love and self-discipline. So do not be ashamed of the testimony about our Lord...”
- 2 Timothy 1:7-8
I’m just an old dog, and I’ve noticed something. Folks stand for all kinds of things.
They stand for ball teams
Stand for the national anthem
Stand in long lines for chicken sandwiches
And, I’ve even seen my human stand up when somebody talked bad about his wife or his family.
Now me?
I stand when I hear the treat jar rattle.
But one evening I was lying under the porch swing while my human read his Bible. He stopped and read out loud, “For I am not ashamed of the gospel…” - Romans 1:16
Then he got quiet for a minute.
Dogs notice quiet.
He said, “Lord, help me never be ashamed of You.”
I tilted my head.
I know that voice.
That’s the voice he uses when he means business.
Later that week, I watched him pray with somebody in public.
I heard him speak kindly about Jesus when others just shrugged and changed the subject.
I saw him bow his head at an outside table at a restaurant before eating.
Nobody threw him into a fiery furnace like Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, but I remembered hearing him read about those fellows too.
They told King Nebuchadnezzar, “Our God is able… but even if He does not… we will not serve your gods”
- Daniel 3:17-18
Now… that’s a stand.
Now, I’m just an old dog.
I don’t understand everything.
But I know this:
When I belong to my human, I don’t hide it.
I follow him everywhere.
I wag my tail when he comes home.
I’m not embarrassed to let folks know whose dog I am.
If I can be unashamed to be a dog who loves his human, why do God’s people sometimes act shy and stay quiet about belonging to Jesus?
Seems to me Christians ought to be unashamed… like me with my human.
Not mean.
Not loud for the sake of being loud.
Just faithful.
Loving.
Steady.
Unashamed
(There’s that word again)
Because Jesus wasn’t ashamed to carry a cross for us.
The world may bark, growl, or roll its eyes.
But truth is still truth.
Grace is still grace.
And Jesus is still King.
So, if you’re His, stand.
The world needs followers of Jesus who will lovingly stand.
Stand when it’s unpopular.
Stand when it’s uncomfortable.
Stand with grace.
Stand with truth.
Stand with joy.
Stand with kindness.
Stand with humility.
Stand with courage.
And if your knees get shaky, remember you’re not standing alone.
The One who died on that cross… the One who saved you is standing with you.
You see, an old dog has learned something after all these years:
It’s a whole lot easier to stand when you know to whom you belong.
"For I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God that brings salvation to everyone who believes…”
- Romans 1:16 NIV
Keep the Faith… Carpe Diem
