Staying Up Is Getting Up

During the recent summer Olympics from Sidney, Australia, I was taken with one of the ads. It featured a leading American runner. While putting on his shoes the following captions were flashed on the screen. First a question: "How do you get up for the race" A slight pause. Then the answer: "You stay up."

Immediately I thought of our life with Christ. "How do you 'get up' for worship every Sunday?" "How do you 'get up' for daily prayers?" "How do you 'get up' for doing good to everyone, including your enemy?" "How do you 'get up' when you feel down?" The answer: "Stay up!"

Is it too much to suggest that we can 'stay up' in Christ all of the time? Well, if by that we mean being on an emotional high all of the time, then "yes," that is unrealistic. But if by 'staying up' we mean keeping alert, being ready to obey, desiring to be what God wants us to be, then, we can say "absolutely!"

The apostle Paul once wrote to his sidekick Timothy,

4:1 In the presence of God and of Christ Jesus, who is to judge the living and the dead, and in view of his appearing and his kingdom, I solemnly urge you: 2 proclaim the message; be persistent whether the time is favorable or unfavorable; convince, rebuke, and encourage, with the utmost patience in teaching. -- 2 Timothy

In witnessing for Christ, Timothy is to "be persistent whether the time is favorable or unfavorable." Perhaps we could put it this way, "be ready to share your faith at any time by word of mouth or the way you live." Paul wants Timothy to 'stay up.' To the Philippians, Paul put it in a slightly different way. Speaking of the spiritual progress the Philippians had made in the Lord, the apostle says, " Only let us hold fast to what we have attained." (3:13) This idea of "holding fast" and "being persistent" suggests a kind of determination to live for Christ no matter what.

As Christians we should not expect to have to collapse. True enough, we may be tested to the limit of our faith; we may find ourselves teetering on the edge. But we should keep in mind Paul's admonition to the Corinthians: "13 No testing has overtaken you that is not common to everyone. God is faithful, and he will not let you be tested beyond your strength, but with the testing he will also provide the way out so that you may be able to endure it." (1 Corinthians 10)

The answer "You stay up" may seem frivolous to some. One thing for sure, to be able to 'stay up' requires us to keep our focus on Christ, to lean on him, and to be sure our heart is right. Then when the unexpected comes, or even when the expected comes, we will be able to draw upon the resources only God can provide: " be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his power." (Ephesians 6:10)

Jerry Mercer