Moving On Up!

"We're moving on up, to the east side, to a high rise apartment in the skies." That is a lyric that brings back some memories. This last week the world lost Sherman Hemsley. He was most known for his portrayal of George Jefferson on All in the Family followed by the spin off The Jeffersons. I love the opening phrase of that theme song. "We're moving on up!" I often think that as the Lord has moved me and my family into new arenas of life and ministry. Isn't it funny how the Lord uses television pop culture from the 70s to lighten my heart in the face of change, uncertainty, and adversity? If you're familiar with the program you know that George worked his way to respect and prosperity through hard work in the face of adversity and bigotry. The adversity and bigotry didn't stop, but he didn't allow it to stop him either. We can learn from this.


We often face ridicule and adversity as followers of Jesus Christ. We are often misunderstood and people tend to judge us before even meeting us or getting to know us. What most of the world believes about Christ followers they learn from Hollywood or some minister that seems to be more interested in building his own kingdom than God's. Ultimately, just like the fictional plight of George Jefferson, we are judged and targeted and it can seem like an uphill battle just for being ourselves. So what is one to do?

We sing! We need to take solace in the fact that God created us, and He loves us. He has an unending supply of grace, mercy and love for us. The bible tells us that we will face difficult times and people. We will be ridiculed and mocked. We will face false accusations and at times be beaten down in such significant ways that getting back up seems impossible. That's when we remember our Lord Jesus. That's when we recall the Apostles. That's when we think about Stephen in Acts 6 & 7. We know from reading the gospels that Jesus was completely innocent of the charges against him, yet He was crucified. We know Peter and John went before the Sanhedrin in Acts 4 for teaching about Jesus and were threatened by the religious leaders. We know that false charges were brought up time and again against the people of God, and some paid the ultimate price of laying down their life.

We sing! We remember that God has a bigger plan. God has knit us together in our mother's womb. God has given us a hope and a future that no man can rob us of. Regardless of the adversity or ridicule we face we know that God is with us and will use whatever we face for His glory. We're moving on up! The only way the world wins is if we give up our inheritance as sons and daughters of God. Don't give it up!

We sing! We continue to move forward. We read about the Apostle Paul in Acts 14 who was stoned for sharing the story of Jesus in Lystra and left for dead. He arose and walked back into the city and then continued on preaching the gospel of Jesus! What faith and perseverance! He moved on.

We need to look at the adversity and difficulties we face each day and realize that it is from the prince of this world who wants nothing more than for us to turn our backs on God and the life He has for us. The devil wants to do nothing more than rob us of our joy and get us to let go of the promises Jesus has given us. The devil uses confusion and lies to get the world to come against Christ followers. All we can do is know that nothing surprises God. He is still sovereign and as long as we allow Him, He is right there with us as we face the most diabolical attacks the Devil can devise.

We all face adversity. We all face seemingly insurmountable situations at times. Rest on the promise from God. "I will never leave you, nor forsake you." Even when you feel alone, you are not.

Move on up and show the world that you are a child of God!