Therefore, my brothers and sisters, you whom I love and long for, my joy and crown, stand firm in the Lord in this way, dear friends!
Philippians 4:1 NIV
Stand Firm
The Special Rapporteur on human rights in Afghanistan has urged Canada to continue to stand firm on improvements in the human rights situation of Afghans living under Taliban rule. Richard Bennett said, “I had the privilege of meeting inspiring Afghans in Toronto and Ottawa, including recently resettled refugees, activists, and journalists. I heard from young women and ethnic minorities like Hazaras, Uzbeks and Turkmen about the brutal treatment their communities face, in the absence of a coherent international strategy to address the worsening human rights situation in the country.”
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When I was a boy, my favourite activity in the midway at the Canadian Lakehead Exhibition each year was the Fun House. We had to walk through a rotating and vibrating cylinder that was quite impossible to navigate without taking a tumble. In a spiritual sense, Paul says that living for Jesus in this world is similar to walking through a spinning cylinder. He writes in Philippians 4:1: “Therefore, my brothers and sisters, you whom I love and long for, my joy and crown, stand firm in the Lord in this way, dear friends!” To stand firm means to remain rooted in Christ, unwavering in our faith despite trials, temptations, or distractions. It’s a call to spiritual resilience, not through our own strength, but through the power and presence of Jesus. When we anchor ourselves in His truth, we experience a peace that surpasses understanding and strength that endures. You are loved, longed for, and cherished – a joy and crown. Being so, you are called to stand firm—not alone, but with the support of a loving community and the sustaining grace of God.
These have been words from the heart.
Bob Beasley