There has been a lot of debate in recent weeks over whether or not professional football players should stand for the national anthem. Is standing for the anthem the one clear way to honor our country? Or is kneeling a valid way of “taking a stand” for our country’s values?

Whatever your opinion about that controversy, it can move us to reflect about a larger spiritual question—How are we taking a stand for Christ? On that question, the life of Martin Luther provides inspiration. When pressed to recant his beliefs, Luther replied, “I cannot and will not recant anything. Here I stand. I can do no other. So help me God.”

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Will we take a stand in faith today—to be witnesses for the truth and love of Christ in our world? Along with Luther, we can be empowered to take such a stand, in our words and our deeds—when we open ourselves to the grace of Christ, and answer the call to be Jesus’ disciples in our time.

Sunday’s Scripture Readings:
Mark 10:17–22
Philippians 3:7–8

About the Author

Dr. David A. Palmer has been the senior pastor at the United Methodist Church of Kent since 1995. He has a B.A. from Wittenberg University, a Master of Divinity from Duke University, and a Doctor of Ministry from Princeton Theological Seminary. A native of Wooster, Ohio, he has served three other churches in east Ohio before coming to Kent. He and his wife, Mavis, have three children.