Standing Up and Believing

"I will never forget that the only reason I'm standing here today is because somebody, somewhere stood up for me when it was risky. Stood up when it was hard. Stood up when it wasn't popular. And because that somebody stood up, a few more stood up. And then a few thousand stood up. And then a few million stood up. And standing up, with courage and clear purpose, they somehow managed to change the world."

Barack Obama

44th President of the United States

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Just over a month into the summer after graduating from college, I'm sitting on my couch, watching TV, eating a lot of junk, and waiting for real life to begin. In fact, this is when life is at its easiest - there are few worries, hardly any big decisions to make, and more time than is needed. Of course, that's what you think, until you realize that college is behind you, and a new - and much more difficult - chapter of your life is starting to write itself. The question to ask yourself, then, is do you really want this brand new chapter to start with laziness, aimlessness and obesity? Probably not. A chapter begins with a purpose; it sets out to achieve a set of goals somewhere down the line, and proposes how these goals might just be achieved.


Sometimes, we ask God why we're here. Whether you believe in God or not, and whichever god you believe in, we've all asked that question. We ask - and soon enough, demand - for a clear sign of our calling; we want to understand our purpose, a meaning for which we live. We then realize that we can use our lives to make a difference - wherever we may be from, whatever the color of our skin, our gender, or our belief systems, we are convicted to change something around us that just doesn't look right. Indeed, this is purpose for which I believe we are living; we are to make a difference in this broken world. Making a difference doesn't mean you have to work in a third-world country, become a pastor, or sit in the Oval Office. We all make a difference in our own ways - we are all given gifts with which we can change a few little things in the world, and together, combine our efforts to create a better world for generations to come. We make a difference by inventing the latest computer, discovering the newest medicine, building the safest buildings, and for many, simply showing their own children the love they so deserve.


Making a difference isn't easy, and sometimes, sitting on the couch, watching TV and eating just sounds like a better idea. But change takes time, and it takes a lot of perseverance. It requires one to stand up for what they believe in - to profess their values and their vision in the face of doubt and opposition. It also requires faith - the "confidence in what we hope for and an assurance for what we do not see" (Hebrews 11:1). Nothing will ever happen if we don't stand up for what we believe is right, and we will never make a difference if we don't believe we can. It's not going to be easy, but I realized that it's just part of growing up. Growing up means taking life seriously. It's not a joke anymore, but things are real - with real consequences. It's time to take a stand, and hopefully this is a journey that I can look back on knowing that I will have made a difference. We'll see, I guess.