Stand Up, Stand Up for Jesus, Ye Soldiers of the Cross!

Young Amir and Baba

Another big theme in The Kite Runner has to do with the courage to do what's right. Amir's father, Baba, is an activist that will stand up for others even at the cost of his life. Ironically Amir proves himself to be the complete opposite, shying away from challenges, with self-preservation as his main concern.

I could identify with Amir, as I recognize how tough it can be to stand up for what I believe. The world we live in can be a difficult place for God's children. To believe in the morality set by God is considered backward and outdated, even hateful.

So justice is driven back, and righteousness stands at a distance; truth has stumbled in the streets, honesty cannot enter. Truth is nowhere to be found, and whoever shuns evil becomes a prey. The LORD looked and was displeased that there was no justice.

As appropriate as the last paragraph is for our times, the interesting thing is that it comes from Isaiah 59:14-15, written over 2500 years ago! How did God respond back then?

Isaiah 59:16 He saw that there was no one, he was appalled that there was no one to intervene; so his own arm worked salvation for him, and his own righteousness sustained him.

God saw that his people were helpless and hopeless and came down and took care of business himself! I believe the same principle applies today. Even though sometimes the enemy seems too strong, when the time is right, God will make everything all right.

But until that time, we as Christ-followers should strive to live as God would have us, despite the cost to us personally. Let us rise up to the challenges set before us as we serve our God with our best!

24Then Jesus said to his disciples, "If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross and follow me. 25For whoever wants to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for me will find it. 26What good will it be for a man if he gains the whole world, yet forfeits his soul? Or what can a man give in exchange for his soul? 27For the Son of Man is going to come in his Father's glory with his angels, and then he will reward each person according to what he has done. Matthew 16:24-27