If I Stand

The music of Rich Mullins was part of the soundtrack of my growing up in rural Alabama. Though I didn't know it at the time, his music was helping to establish a foundation deep within me that would help me withstand so much of what life has become.

The 13 year-old-Christy had no way of knowing that the 43 year-old-Christy would need to hear these words as we try and navigate the world we live in today.

A world where loyalty to political parties has become far outraking to where our loyalty was always meant to be.

A world where our allegiance is expected to rise and fall on fallen people and leaders and where we are seen as treasonous if we don't line up the same politically as other people.

A world where we are so quick to forget that this world is not our home and we will one day stand at the feet of a Holy God who I truly believe will care far less about our political affiliations and a lot more about how we treated each other. Cause you know... he kinda left us that commandment, the one he called the greatest commandment, to love the Lord with our heart, soul, mind, and then to love your neighbor. You know... not your political party.

As I kicked it old school this weekend, and pulled out this song from 1993, I am even more thankful for the message that it brings to my weary soul right now, but even more so for the conviction that it brings.

May we stand on the promise that God will pull us through, and may we be reminded of the grace that first called us to him. A grace that far surpasses anything that this world could ever offer.

"And there's a loyalty that's deeper

Than mere sentiments

And a music higher than the songs

That I can sing

The stuff of Earth competes

For the allegiance

I owe only to the Giver

Of all good things.

So if I stand let me stand on the promise

That you will pull me through

And if I can't, let me fall on the grace

That first brought me to You

And if I sing let me sing for the joy

That has born in me these songs

And if I weep let it be as a man

Who is longing for his home."

Songwriters: Richard Mullins / Steven Robert Cudworth

If I Stand lyrics © Capitol CMG Publishing, Universal Music Publishing Group