Shoulders of the Saints

One of the main reasons we can go beyond the normal in our spiritual maturity is the shoulders on which we stand. Those that have pioneered the way before us have built highways for us to travel faster and farther. Their shoulders are strong and we must honor these men and women of God. To dishonor them is to slow down our process of maturity and purpose.

I remember a mountain family that I befriended in the mid 70’s. Hanging out with them as they farmed and did their chores was a great opportunity for me to hear of their experiences. They told me about the bumps in the road. I listened carefully and was blessed to miss some of the bumps. They were just simple people living their lives for Jesus. We had debates about my hair being a little too long. They didn’t agree with my belief that I could date more than one girl at a time. I didn’t know any different. They dressed a different way than most believers do today. However, they weren’t unwise, naïve, or out of touch with God anymore than I am today in sandals and jeans. My hair isn’t worth arguing over anymore and dating is a thing of the past. I appreciate the opportunity of standing on their shoulders.

I remember the Taylor brothers and how they pioneered revival of their day. Big tent meetings and crowds of people marked their path. Hard preaching and old time singing was what they called it. I didn’t agree with all their doctrines and I didn’t copy their style of preaching. My songs I sing now are almost 100% worship phrases with some testimony. Upon request I might sing an old escapist song about getting out of here and going to Heaven, but I prefer proclaiming occupancy and extension of the Kingdom of Heaven now. I haven’t backslid and they weren’t ignorant. I just have the privilege of standing on their shoulders. I was born “spiritually short”, and so for them to pick me up on their shoulders and let me see the parade means a lot. The view from here is great. But, without them I would still be very short.

Some of those before us were wrong in their doctrines and some even fell hard in times of temptation. Great Revivalist of the 1900’s often fell because of the money, self-glory, and sexual temptation. I used to think if someone fell that we should forget all they taught us. I am glad the Holy Spirit didn’t forget David and Solomon. My favorite saints of the Bible are probably the ones who failed the most. I still stand on their shoulders.

A believer that may have challenged me the most didn’t even believe in Trinity. I never brought the subject up but they did fairly often. I wasn’t about to budge from my beliefs in that department. However we have remained close friends and I have really enjoyed the testimonies that have come from this person. I am Wesleyan and yet have worked side by side with Calvinists. Many times I have kept quiet in debates so I could still stand on the shoulders of those different from me. I still do it today. Outside of the basic doctrines of our faith I don’t ague over doctrines. However, I choose to be very radical when I happen upon revelation and truth that the Holy Spirit brings to the light for me. I choose to honor those that have gone before me by standing on their shoulders. I am able to see farther because of them.

To take the Bride of Christ to new levels and defy the norm in our times could never happen without the shoulders of the past to stand upon. Any new truth and revelation follows close behind those who have paid the price to purchase the simple truths we have heard a hundred times. Every level of the mountain must be maintained so there can be those who reach the top to get the new view. Unlike the children of Israel who were busy making a golden calf, we choose to accompany Moses to receive the oracles of God. Some of us may maintain certain levels of the mountain while others of us will continue to the top. We will behold the glory of the Lord and then we will bring the glory back into all the other levels of the mountain. Scripture tells us that Moses shined with the Presence of the Lord upon him. Although the nation wouldn’t go with him upon the mountain, he brought the glory back down to them.

There have been those who have pushed me up the mountain. They may not have been privileged to see what I see today but they longed for it. Scripture speaks of us being able to see times that the prophets longed to see. We stand on their shoulders. How glorious is the view! Never has vision been more clear. Never have dreams been more numerous. It’s the joy of standing on the shoulders of the saints.