When a child learns to walk, they will fall many times.
It is not a maybe, but rather a definite. Falling over will happen more than once and it is never looked upon as the child failing, rather as a necessary part of mastering the skill of walking. As a parent you don’t scold your child for falling when they are learning to walk.
It’s the opposite; you praise them for trying and are so excited and thrilled with every new step your child takes, knowing they will eventually walk. And before you know it walking will turn to running and running fast!
Once the child has learnt to walk does this mean they will never fall again? Of course not. They will occasionally fall and the more momentum they gain, the harder they will fall. They will hurt themselves from time to time, there will be tears and maybe even some blood from scraped knees.
But let’s not forget the highs they will experience. The excited faces and squeals of delight as they master each new step. As a parent you share in this excitement, cheering them on and encouraging them to keep going, sharing words of guidance and offering a hug when they come to you bruised and bloodied.
Father God is cheering us on!
As God is our ultimate parent he delights in every detail of our lives.
Psalms chapter 37 verses 23 and 24 says
The Lord directs the steps of the godly. He delights in every detail of their lives.
Though they may stumble, they will not fall, for the Lord upholds them with his hand.
On our life’s journey, God encourages us, cheers us on, loves us and picks us back up when we stumble. He doesn’t just do this once, but time and time again.
I am learning that a major part of success, in no matter what area of life, is when we do fall, we don’t give up and stay down in the mud but rather we get back up, dust off the dirt, wipe away the sweat and tears and keep going. One step after another.
If we keep our eyes off our feet and the ground and rather look up to Jesus, we will be more stable and fall less often. Our focus will not be on our self or our failings, but rather on the bigger goal.
It’s all about Jesus
Jesus told us in Luke chapter ten verse 27 that the greatest commandment is to
Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your mind and then to love your neighbour as yourself.
As followers of Christ we are to expand his Kingdom- to share the good news, to make disciples, heal the sick and lay down our lives. I want to be able to say like Paul did in second Timothy four verse seven, I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith.
Will it be easy? No! Will we get tired? Yes! Will we fall, get bruised and beaten? Most definitely.
But we are to be strong and courageous, shake off the dust, keep our eyes on Jesus and just keep walking.
Jo Fuller is a primary school teacher with degrees in journalism and education. She lives on the beautiful Sunshine Coast with her husband, son and baby daughter.
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