Taking a Tumble

I was just on the phone with my friend. During most of the conversation we were discussing things about God and how He is at work in different ways in our lives. A few times though, she was trying to help her son play a game called Pitfall. The last time she played I heard her say, "I can't help you get to the top. I get all the way up there (to the top of the tree) and then I fall down." Which simultaneously caused me to laugh and have a lightbulb go on in my brain.....

I've been reading in the book of Judges the last few days. Every chapter that I have read speaks of the Israelites turning from God and sinning against Him. Because of their disobedience God allowed them to fall into the hands of their enemies. But after a time when they felt that things were too unbearable for them to be able to go on, they cried out to God. And when they did, He sent someone to rescue them from their captivity. In essence, He would lift them up out of their misery. And there they would sit on the treetop, living in peace, because they lived in obedience to God. After a time they would disobey and fall again. They would live in captivity again. And when it became unbearable, they cried out to God and He lifted them up again. A vicious cycle, yes, but one that I see in my life quite often.

It occured to me that whenever I take a tumble, or sin, or question God, I have a tendency to try to climb back up that tree on my own. But the truth of the matter is that there is no way that I will ever reach that place of peace and living in obedience to God on my own. I can only do that with God's help. Yes, God has made me a strong and stubborn individual, but without Him I am too weak to live like He has asked me to. But God is faithful! Like the Israelites whey they cried out to Him, He will answer me when I call out to Him in the midst of my darkest hour. Even if I do take a spill every now and again, God will still carry out His plan in my life, in spite of me. Philippians 1:6 : "... being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus."

Thank you Lord, that your plan does not depend on whether I always make the right choices or do everything just right. I look forward to all that you will accomplish in my life, in spite of how many falls I may have. AMEN!