For several years, my sister Edna has felt that she needed to downsize and sell her home, which had a big yard to mow. She had prayed to find a location in development with community-friendly neighbors and a minimal yard. After searching for several years with the housing market exploding, it seemed as if moving was not going to occur, but two months ago, the ideal situation was presented. In a whirlwind of events, she bought a house and sold hers in a month.
Making the decision to move is not an easy task. Repositioning our lives and relocating to a new home demands physical and emotional strength. There is a lot of evaluating, taking inventory of what’s necessary to clean out and to let go of, and what we need and desire to hold on to. As I helped her the last several weeks, it brought attention to how much stuff we accumulate and how much is so unnecessary.
As I reflected on the last few weeks of moving, I realized what a spiritual application it has. We are always moving forward or backward in our Christian walk. I’m reminded of that old hymn, “I Shall Not Be Moved.”
“I shall not be, I shall not be moved, I shall not be, I shall not be moved. Just like a tree planted by the water I shall not be moved.”
Steadfast in our commitment, convictions, and faith in Christ should never be a move backward. As the song states, we should be planted firmly in the foundation of Jesus Christ. When the winds howl, and the storms of life are raging, “We look unto the hills from which cometh our help.” The Bible says, “When my heart is overcome, I run to the rock that is higher than I.”
Christ is our cornerstone foundation, and He will not move from His position of authority, Savior, and King. As we live in a world that desires to move us from the foundations we know to be true, may we still cling to the old rugged cross!
Acts 2:25 speaks of the Psalmist David. “I found the Lord always before my face for He is on my right hand, that I should not be moved.”
Last week, as I hurriedly moved some chairs onto the truck I had purchased for my sister Edna, I failed to pay attention as I walked toward the tailgate. I assumed it was a flat surface, but to my surprise, I stepped quickly into a concrete curb, which tripped me, and I plunged forward, falling on all fours and landing on hard concrete.
As I began to fall, it was as if I was in slow motion -falling, falling, trying to come out of what I knew was not going to be a good thing. For a moment, I thought, “I’m going to recover; I’m going to make it!” But the impact was more than I could recover from. I’ll be honest; it hurt bad. I thought, “I don’t know if I can get up.” There was a man helping me load; he said, “Let me help you up!” I’m so thankful he was there. To my surprise, I am okay. I have a few aches, but I am blessed for sure.
A fall can be so unexpected sometimes; we can be enjoying life, doing this, doing that, living we think at our fullest, but if we are not careful, we can lose our focus and plunge into situations that can bring a fall into our life that quickly changes everything. Sometimes, it’s less prayer, more activities, and less church attendance. Sometimes, it’s not enough quality time with our spouse and a small flirtation with another; other times, it could be stresses of life that lead to substance abuse and financial difficulties. Falling resides at the door of opportunity when our focus is impaired. The Bible states in Jude 1:24:
“Now unto him that is able to keep you from falling, and to present you faultless before the presence of His glory with exceeding joy.”
Ecclesiastes 34:16:
“For the eyes of the Lord are upon them that love Him. He is their mighty protection and strong stay of defense from heat, and a cover from the sun at noon, a presence from stumbling, and a help from falling.”
Job 4:4:
“Thy words have upholden him that was falling, and thou has strengthened the feeble knees.”
I’m so thankful for the strength that abides within the hearts of God’s children through the Holy Spirit, which helps us overcome falling.
As I lay prostrate on that hard concrete after I fell, I am so grateful for the hand that extended to me and helped me rise up. I couldn’t have done it at that moment alone. I needed help. Remember that old hymn, “Grace for Every Need.” Did you know that two is better than one? When one falls, there is another that can lift us up. The great commandment of loving thy neighbor as thyself should inspire all of us to look for ways to reach those who have fallen to extend a helping hand. None of us are immune. We are all faulty flesh.
While preparing to write this blog, someone shared the scripture in Acts 9:3-6. It is the story of Saul of Tarsus on the road to Damascus. He was on the move to kill every Christian he found and to stop the movement of Christ. Saul was definitely on the wrong move but had no idea until a light appeared, and the voice of Christ caused him to fall down. Christ asked him, “Why are you kicking against the pricks?” Paul immediately asked him, “Who are you, Lord?” Jesus reveals himself as the one he is persecuting. Saul is blinded, and Jesus tells him what he wants him to do. He tells him to rise up and where to go.
We know from scripture that Saul heard the gospel and believed. He preached the gospel and became perhaps the greatest apostle ever. This scripture is one of the greatest examples of evangelism ever. We can be moving through life with the most misplaced passions that ultimately lead us to fall prostrate before the light of Jesus, who brings all knowledge before us. With hands extended on the cross, He is able to rise us up and help us become moved and stirred by the power of His Spirit to be His witnesses, trees of righteousness that are planted by the water.
Diane Mann
Lean into Jesus Ministries
#dianemannblogs
