Solid Ground

Tonight is the final installment of WCS teacher/coach Catherine Tinkler's look at running and the Christian race. She references one of my favorite hymns!　
　
This Friday’s practice, to get the girls team ready for the cross country meet on Saturday, Coach Wagner has us run “strides” on the athletic field. Run 90 yards lengthwise, walk the baseline width, run the length, and then walk the other baseline back to the starting point completing one trip around the area of the field. The distances were great – run a little, walk a little – nothing overly strenuous for this day before a competition. The problem for me was the terrain. Our normal training days are over the more solid surfaces of concrete and asphalt. The not so even, have to watch each foot fall, of the grassy field was a little more problematic.
　
While running I found myself wishing for a more stable surface. I didn’t want to expend the metal energy of having to judge my steps to miss a depression or go around the mud left by a water sprinkler. While running I started thinking of a congregational hymn very familiar to my generation and possibly familiar to younger generations although with a more spiced up tune with the same words:
I’m pressing on the upward way
New heights I’m gaining every day
Still praying as I’m onward bound
Lord plant my feet on higher ground.
Lord lift me up and let me stand,
By faith on heaven’s table land,
A higher plane than I have found,
Lord plant my feet on higher ground.

What a great request – Lord plant my feet on higher ground, although I do have to admit I started singing the words in my head as "Lord plant my feed on solid ground." I then began to wonder if by choosing the higher ground that God offers if I would always be assured of my footing. While looking for the exact words to the congregational hymn I discovered the lines to a more modern plea for solid ground. Consider these lyrics from an obscure band, Krusade from a small town in Ohio:
Somebody tell me where you're coming from
Somebody tell me about God's Son
Somebody tell me where I'm going to
Somebody help me to see the Truth
Somebody find me for I am lost
Somebody help me to find the cross
Somebody teach me, the Word is my sword
Somebody reach me, I need You, LORD
Somebody hear me as I say my prayer
Somebody hear me, does anyone care?
Somebody hear me, dear God are You there?
Somebody heal me, this pain's too much to bear
SOMEBODY HELP ME LIVE IN THIS NATION
HOW CAN I MAKE IT WITH ALL THIS TEMPTATION
O LORD FORGIVE ME, TURN MY LIFE AROUND
LORD PLANT MY FEET FIRM ON SOLID GROUND
Somebody help me, this life ain't easy
There's so much evil out there to tease me
Why can't I find something pure to please me
I need you, God, to come and seize me
LORD JESUS HELP ME LIVE IN THIS NATION
HOW CAN I MAKE IT WITH ALL THIS TEMPTATION
O LORD FORGIVE ME, TURN MY LIFE AROUND
LORD PLANT MY FEET FIRM ON SOLID GROUND
Who's gonna help me?
Who's gonna hear me?
Dear Jesus heal me
You know I need You near me
LORD JESUS HELP ME LIVE IN THIS NATION
HOW CAN I MAKE IT WITH ALL THIS TEMPTATION
O LORD FORGIVE ME, TURN MY LIFE AROUND
LORD PLANT MY FEET FIRM ON SOLID GROUND
　
Wow! I need to realize that as a Christian I am already on solid and higher ground. The lyrics that begin with asking “somebody” for help develop into the realization that the solid ground comes from God. No matter the generation’s tune the lines still resound – “Lord plant MY feet on higher ground.” My plea isn’t as urgent as the petition of those who do not know Him at all. I know where I am headed as God directs my path.
Catherine

God bless,
Steve
Luke 18:1
http://www.hawleybooks.com/
E-mail me at steve@hawleybooks.com