Therefore, my dear brothers and sisters, stand firm. Let nothing move you. Always give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord, because you know that your labor in the Lord is not in vain.
1 Corinthians 15:58, NIV
58 With all this going for us, my dear, dear friends, stand your ground. And don’t hold back. Throw yourselves into the work of the Master, confident that nothing you do for him is a waste of time or effort. 1 Corinthians 15:58, The Message
Today was an exciting day here in Florida, Hurricane Helene has been front news worthy for a couple days and especially this evening. “Unsurvivable” winds and with waves bringing “devasting destruction” has been predicted for the Tallahassee area. I live on the “dirty side” of the cone which I now know means the east side in central Florida. I came home from a meeting to see the tree on the back far side of the house that was barely on the property toppled onto the neighbor’s new fence and roof. This is all before the huricaine even reached land! Containers of water are on all our counter tops and we were warned to get our wash done and take baths before the storm…in case. Have money cause if electricity goes out, gas pumps need cash. News broadcasters are begging us to seriously prepare but out on the lake in front of my house a guy was wind surfing!!!
In my context here, today, I read these words at the close of chapter 15 of Paul’s first letter to the Corinthians and his advice in the face of death. “Stand Firm!!!” Yesterday was sunny and calm and the news was calling to us to prepare. In some ways Paul is doing the same thing. It is so easy to be absorbed by the tasks of life and all it’s challenges but Paul reminds us that death is in the future for all of us and nothing done for the Master is a waste of time.
So what does standing firm look like to you? Standing is certainly not lying down on the job. I doubt it is just watching life being lived out by others on TV, dreaming about who we might be. It implies involvement. It implies to me roots of relationship with God and others so we don’t get washed away when the wind blows. It implies preparedness and listening to our authorities. Those are just a few ideas.
Let us pray for the many in the path of the storms of life whether they be environmental, political or social. Lord, help us to stand firm and be consistent in our work for you. Comfort the scared and grieving and all the helpers and caregivers at this time. Lord have mercy!
On the Way to Wonder 