Stand Up and Be Counted

Count Tolstoy once wrote: “…if we would only testify to the truth as we see it, it would turn out at once that there are hundreds, thousands, even millions of men just as we are, who… are only waiting, again as we are, for some one to proclaim it.” In observing people it becomes apparent that some courageously commit themselves according to conscience and convictions, while some wait and watch to see which way the wind is blowing; that some speak and act according to predetermined principles, while some hold back and do what they think will meet with popular approval; that some say what they think should be said, and some say what they think others want to hear; that some commit themselves to what they feel is the right side, and some wait to see which seems to be the winning side, and then throw their weight on the side that seems to be winning. Sometimes people express opinions and convictions privately and in whispered places with a word of caution that they can’t be quoted. At times there may be real and valid reasons for these “off-the-record” comments, but at times they are evidence of a conviction that lacks courage. To be effective we not only have to have convictions but we have to be committed to our convictions. We can’t walk two ways at once. And we can’t consistently talk two ways at once or live two ways at once. In the interest of being pleasant and popular we cannot consistently say one thing to one person and express an opposite opinion to another person, or make opposing promises to different people. We can’t do it honorably or ethically—but aside from honor and ethics such practices place us in an untenable position, because when two people to whom we have expressed opposite opinions, or to whom we have made opposing promises, get together, we stand discredited by both. If we want our efforts and our influence to count in a good cause, we have to have convictions and we have to have courage. We can’t always be neutral and we can’t always remain anonymous. There are occasions when we have to stand up and be counted. And if we wait too long before we commit ourselves to being counted, the wrong side might be the winning side—because we waited.