Poem - Stand

I've been pondering this theme of spiritual maturity and our attitudes and the key word I hear over and over is to "stand". So I looked up this verse. Now this verse talks about arming yourself so that you are ready for anything the devil flings at you. But I also see it as being prepared for whatever life thows your way too. I don't give the devil credit for every mishap that goes on in life. He's just not that powerful!

Life can present it's own little bumps along the road without any help, it's just the way of things. But our mature faith can still serve us well in these situations.

"Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand." Ephesians 6:13

This is a poem I wrote about it.

Stand


When you feel misunderstood
Stand straight
When lies are told about you
Stand straight
When you feel a failure
Stand straight
When you’re judged unfairly
Stand straight

When you are angry
Stand corrected
When you’ve cheated
Stand corrected
When you behaved badly
Stand corrected
When you’ve hated
Stand corrected

After you’ve forgotten God
Stand again
After you have a sulk
Stand again
After you’re selfish
Stand again
After you’ve sinned
Stand again

When the key goes missing
Stand up
When the car breaks down
Stand up
If the roof springs a leak
Stand up
If the bus comes early
Stand up

When you hear God’s voice
Stand still
When you talk too much
Stand still
If they need your shoulder
Stand still
When the sunset is blazing
Stand still

When you want to give up
Stand firm
When it doesn’t change
Stand firm
When you can’t feel Him
Stand firm
When all else fails
Stand firm

Chameleon

Warning, you may wish to read the previous post before reading this poem as one relates to the other.

Chameleon

In my chameleon life I have many faces,

a different mood for different places.

I grow an attitude for the rat-race centre,

authority becomes my tormentor.

I chaff against the ethic of work,

my rebellious side just goes berserk.

Then, with friends, I'm the "good time" girl.

I throw myself into the social whirl.

Unsheathing my claws of sarcastic remark,

I await the applause of those in the dark.

My family think I'm a regular wife

learning to love, cope with trouble and strife.

They don't know the desires I hide,

the secret sins in which I have no pride.

Lastly there's church and the "royal family",

I show them a side that the others don't see.

A belief in a Saviour who died on a tree,

who's blood and death "availed for me".

My scriptural knowledge is healthy and good.

I pray to the Father as a good Christian should.

But my "brothers and sisters" don't know of my shame,

the fact that I play the chameleon game.

O, what a perfect gem I turned out to be,

A shining example of duplicity!

Just what happens when the week is done?

Why, I just put my "Sunday" face on!

Smiling at friends, glaring at foes

then sporting a fish badge for a bit of a pose!

Silly chameleon, selling myself,

Fearful of being left up on the shelf

of unwanted people this world throws away,

Desperately wanting Someone to say

" I love you as you and you alone.

Leave the disguises and masks you own.

Accept yourself as I accept you.

Now go, be yourself, in all that you do."

I hear Him speak but cling to my masks,

still playing chameleon when somebody asks.