“The LORD helps the fallen and lifts those bent beneath their loads.”
Psalm 145:14 NLT
The wonderful kernel of reality that lies at the heart of the gospel is God’s abiding forgiveness and acceptance. Carrying a cross, when already weakened by extreme circumstances, is no simple task. Like Jesus, we will falter and stumble under its weight. Most often we then struggle with the reality of that stumble. God, however, gazes upon our steadfastness under extreme duress. Eternity marvels at faithfulness when there appears so little reason for that faith.
My initial attempt at shouldering the cross of affliction was to focus my energy on being what I imagined a faithful Christian must be. Big mistake! The only resources I had to draw upon were my own, and they were strictly limited and quickly expended. My secondary reason was that I wanted to prove before others, rather more than to myself, that I was who I claimed to be in every sermon I’d made. I chased authenticity, but from a foundation of deceit. It took time before I was forced to my knees. I thought I was a failure, and judged myself harshly, which led to an unhealthy reaction.
My theology messed with my head and heart, but my theology was wrong. God did not judge my stumbles. God loved me in each and every one of them. They revealed my humanity and highlighted my need of God. Once I took my eyes off my self-criticism and judgement, I had eyes to look for Jesus in my fear, pain and despair. Why else did Jesus stumble on the way to the cross but to acknowledge following the way of God lies beyond human ability?
I have no explanation as to why Katey lived just 53 years. Yet, I saw in her eyes the Spirit of God shining ever brighter, even as her humanity faltered and finally failed. We knew Jesus even as we stumbled and fell.
QUESTION
How have you responded when you’ve stumbled in life?
PRAYER
Lord, I’m grateful that you lift up the weak and give them strength.