FALLING FORWARD

All four-inches of my heels echoed an irregular cadence as I teetered down the hallway. The bell rang, releasing the audience to find their seats for the show.

The shoes I put on that morning were literally too big for me to fill -two sizes too big - but I was determined to wear them that day just to fit in with my peers.

I caught sight of my brand-new boyfriend walking just ahead and decided to catch up. While my first step was fairly solid, the second one brought me down like a house of cards.

As I desperately tried to recover textbooks and composure, I saw what had felled me. It wasn’t heel height, shoe size, or even a jostling shove. No, I had been brought to my knees by the thinnest piece of loose-leaf notebook paper, college-ruled.

Our spiritual stumbles can happen much the same way, as we set out down faith’s narrow hallway. Too late, we discover unassuming obstacles waiting to cause a humiliating face plant for all the cool kids to witness. 

And we all know, people are watching. Whether smugly smirking or silently cheering, they are holding their breath to see if we will get back up again.

But make no mistake about it, discouraged child of God, you were created to rise from the ashes. 

Because Who, and what, is waiting for you at the end of the journey will be worth it all. Every single scratch, bruise and break of your soul will be healed in the Light of Jesus’ presence.

And although we move toward Him, we are also walking with Him. God goes before us and behind us, firmly steadying us with His Word. 

His Spirit urges us on with strength for the day at hand, and wisdom for tomorrow. 

So keep walking in faith before your God, dear one. 

Take courage. Take heart. Press on.

“So take a new grip with your tired hands and strengthen your weak knees. Mark out a straight path for your feet so that those who are weak and lame will not fall but become strong.”

Hebrews 12:12-13 nlt