Stand

My youngest son is a Sea Cadet.  Of all the activities he does with his squad, the least he enjoys is standing.  It seems to him that unless they are actively involved in some other activity, he has to stand.  It reminds me of a verse from Ephesians 6:13: "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."  This verse comes from a familiar portion of Scripture that I have read often.  For some reason, the last part of this verse never fully captured my attention until recent months.

As a Sea Cadet my son has learned that there are three different types of standing.  First there is "At Attention". A Cadet stands at attention when he is speaking to a superior, being inspected or he is receiving direction from his Commanding Officer.  In this form of standing, the Cadet is prepared to take action.

The second way a Cadet learns to stand is "At Ease".  A Cadet is told to stand at ease when he is expected to stand for awhile such as when he is receiving general information and instruction during an announcement.  It is the rest phase from standing at attention.  In this phase, a Cadet is just a word away from standing back at attention and moving directly into action.

The third way a Cadet is permitted to stand is "Easy".  This standing phase usually lasts only for about 5 seconds and is used by the Cadet to either shift stance, scratch an itch or adjust his uniform.  After this is done, the Cadet moves back to standing at ease until he is called back to attention.

The key standing position is "At Attention".  It is from this standing position that a Cadet receives and acts upon the command he is given.  This command could be to march or even to dismiss.  A Cadet only acts when he is prepared, thus the reason for him to stand at attention.  It is at this point that a Cadet is prepared and ready to act.  It could be said that for a Cadet to be standing is to be expectantly waiting.

In light of my learning this, Ephesians 6:13 takes on new meaning, especially the final part: "...and after you have done everything, to stand."  It has been my experience that not many of us have learned to expectantly wait upon the Lord.  Yes, we may diligently perform our Christian duty, working hard to do all that we can for the Lord.  However, not many of us are comfortable with standing and waiting.  During the times we find ourselves waiting, we often wonder where God is.  We may question why God seems to delay.  Some of us may feel the fool for working so hard only to find ourselves standing alone wondering where He is.

Each evening at sunset before my son leaves Cadets he finds himself standing, waiting.  Before he can be dismissed and conclude his day, he must wait upon his Commanding Officer to call him to attention and to dismiss him.  Sometimes he may find himself waiting a little longer than usual.  However, he waits upon his Commander to inspect and dismiss him.  While he waits he stands at ease.  He is resting from the work that he has completed and is expectantly awaiting his Commander to complete a final inspection and to dismiss him for a job well done.

At the conclusion of the task we have been given, we too will find ourselves standing and waiting.  During this time, instead of complaining and wondering where God is, we should prepare ourselves and expectantly await the arrival of our Commanding Officer.  He will come.  He knows the task is finished.  At the exactly right time, He will come and not delay.  He will be looking for those who are standing, watching and waiting.  It is to those of us who are standing and waiting that He will congratulate for a job well done.  I would not want to miss that for anything.  Would you?