Pole Prayer

Last Wednesday was the 20 year anniversary of See Ya At The Pole. Students in junior high and high schools across the globe gather at the flag pole to pray. I remember being at the flag pole in front of my school that first year, twenty years ago. My heart was skipping beats. I felt excited to show my love for God, but I also felt scared. I knew it wasn’t cool to pray at the flag pole, that didn’t bother me much. What concerned me was who else would come? Would I be the only one? Certainly not, but what if… I always felt as if I was jumping of a cliff, certain my bungee cord would work, but the jump was always hard. Standing at the edge of the cliff, tied to my Savior. Would I trust Him to hold me up? Would I take that step of faith, or would I just ignore the pole? It would be easy enough. I didn’t have to get to school early enough to go to the pole. I could have my mom drop me off on the other side of campus so I didn’t have to even go near the pole. My heart burned in my chest. I knew what God was calling me to do, but would I dare?

I look back and smile at those days of uncertainty. Oh, but I struggle with those same faith issues. When God is clearly telling me to do something and I am unsure or unwilling. I am standing on that edge, conflicted. I want to take the step, but the cliff is high. I step back and ask God again, “Are You sure? This is the step I have to take?” He doesn’t have to answer, I already know. I step back to the edge, I take a deep breath and I jump. I jump because I know I have an anchor in heaven. It is the cross. I need not fear, when God calls me to take a step of faith He is faithful to complete it. 2 Timothy 1:7 says, “For God has not given us a spirit of timidity, but of power and love and discipline.” We need not fear, we need only to step out in faith and obey.

I did pray at the pole for the four years I was in high school. I took that step of faith. Not because I was some super Christian; not because I had it all together, but because I was obedient to the One who gives me a spirit of power and love and discipline. Now twenty years later, my daughters who attend a Christian school, got to pray at their pole. It brought tears to my eyes, as I watched God’s legacy continue. As I thought of students throughout the world gathering to pray, I prayed that God’s spirit of power, love, and discipline would sweep across the globe. I also prayed that God would have His way with us, and that we would take steps of faith in humble obedience.

Father, thank You for Your Spirit of power, love, and discipline. Lord help me take the steps of faith to which You are calling me. Help me to allow Your Spirit to have Your way in my life. That I may serve You in humble obedience. In Jesus’ name, Amen.