You might want to stand up for this …

If you want to conduct a meeting that is concise, short, productive, and doesn’t wander from a focused topic, try holding a “stand-up” meeting.

This kind of meeting is exactly what it sounds like — a meeting where all persons attending are required to stand up throughout the length of the meeting. A stand-up meeting motivates participants to be very specific, not waste time with trivial information, and achieve results quickly, simply because you have to remain standing. Keeping everyone on their feet almost forces participants to immediately engage and more directly move to acceptable conclusions so they can quickly move on from this standing position.

Once people sit down, part of their focus wanders to their comfort. We want a comfortable chair, or an ergonomic chair, or something that might even recline or allow us to put our feet up. The more our attention strays toward our comfort, the more our focus weakens from the important matter at hand.

Perhaps that’s why scripture exhorts us to “stand” when it comes to life’s spiritual battles. Spiritual warfare isn’t waged well from a “Lazy Boy” stance or recliner mentality. An overstuffed couch might be comfortable for fighting the virtual battles conjured up from your xbox, but doesn’t work well for real spiritual warfare. When it comes to spiritual battle, the exhortation is to “stand” …

“And everyone will hate you because you are My followers. But not a hair of your head will perish! By standing firm, you will win your souls,” Luke 21:17-18.

“Be on guard. Stand firm in the faith. Be courageous. Be strong. And do everything with love,” 1 Corinthians 16:13-14.

“A final word: be strong in the Lord and in His mighty power. Put on all of God’s armor so that you will be able to stand firm against all strategies of the devil. For we are not fighting against flesh-and-blood enemies, but against evil rulers and authorities of the unseen world, against mighty powers in this dark world, and against evil spirits in the heavenly places. Therefore, put on every piece of God’s armor so you will be able to resist the enemy in the time of evil. Then after the battle you will be standing firm. Stand your ground, putting on the belt of truth and the body armor of God’s righteousness. For shoes, put on the peace that comes from the Good News so that you will be fully prepared. In addition to all these, hold up the shield of faith to stop the fiery arrows of the devil. Put on salvation as your helmet, and take the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. Pray in the Spirit at all times and on every occasion. Stay alert and be persistent in your prayers for all believers everywhere,” Ephesians 6:10-18.

It would take some effort to be able to sprawl out in your favorite chair while wearing a full suit of armor. When we strive for comfort, we tend to yield to the temptation of removing some armor so we can feel more “comfortable.” And the more comfortable we make ourselves by shedding some armor, the more vulnerable we become. Instead of that, the Apostle Paul urges us toward a spiritual version of a “stand-up” meeting …

“Above all, you must live as citizens of heaven, conducting
yourselves in a manner worthy of the Good News about Christ. Then,
whether I come and see you again or only hear about you, I will know
that you are standing together with one spirit and one purpose, fighting together for the faith, which is the Good News,” Philippians 1:27.

How are you taking on the spiritual battles in your life … on your feet, outfitted in the armor God has provided, or trying to defeat the enemy with your feet up and the TV on?

Scotty