STANDING STILL

... three one, three two, three three, BANG!
Check, Turn, Check, BANG!
Look up, straight ahead;
Heads tilt up, on parade.

Lance in hand,
Background's band;
This test of will,
Standing Still.

Up in the clouded sky,
Planes flying high;
Rolling tape reels,
Yet standing still.

Legs and arms cramp,
Uniform: Damp.
Pain through the heels;
I'm standing still.

In the blazing heat,
The bass drum beats;
On my burning feet,
Taking my retreat.

If asked to do again,
Through sunshine & rain;
Me, Standing still,
I know I will.

-Annonymous.

Being involved in the national day celebrations, has allowed me to draw much similarity between our Christian lives in general, and Faith in particular, with being on parade.

Being on parade, you have to be still, unwavering and looking smart and proud. Not even paying heed to the various distractions around you, be it the crowd, the beat of the music, the aircraft flying a mile above your head, the journalists walking around you trying to take pictures etc etc.

Uncomfortable your position may be, with your wet uniform and cramping muscles, you are expected not to move or fidget, relying on your focus and paid attention to the task to carry you through the parade. Only when the final drum roll is played are you permitted to move off.

Similarly:
Our Christian walk is like being on parade. We are to be unwavering in our faith, through all the trials and tribulations (represented by the rain, heat, wet uniform etc) as well as the distractions that abound (represented by the rolling tapes of the media, the spectators, the lights, the glitz, the "important" people who pass you by, and so on).

Until the moment that we are to retire from this present life (our sounded retreat by the drum beat), we shall not be moved... just like a tree planted by the water's side. We SHALL NOT and MUST NOT be moved.