I Get Knocked Down, But I Get Up Again

       Have you ever experienced a moment in which you see how far from your goals you truly are?  Have you ever seen, in a moment of clarity, the distance that you still have to travel to become the person you hope to be?  Have you ever experienced a moment like this and wanted to quit, just give up because it seemed impossible that your goal would ever be met? 

picture via The Wonderful World of People

       Sometimes, I experience moments like this.  I fall into sin and allow myself to turn from God, even if only for a moment.  After that moment, or sometimes within that moment, I see the true distance between who I am and who I long to be. I can see myself turning my back on God with the selfish decisions I make. I have the desire to be a true follower of Christ; I want to be walking next to him all the days of my life.  I want to give my all to him and to bear witness of his love to those around me.  I fail. 

       I wonder to myself from time to time, “will I ever become the woman I long to be?”  The honest answer is no.  I will never become the person I truly want to be.  If my role model is Christ than there is no way that I can attain my goal.  I am flawed, I am human, I am imperfect.  I have to accept that my goal is beautiful but unattainable.  The question then becomes not, “will I become that person?” but rather, “will I stop trying?” 

       Even Jesus, on his road to Calvary, fell.  The weight of the cross paired with the wounds given to him by this world became too much for him. This weight and pain is often what we feel as we try to travel on the narrow way in the midst of this world.  But, his love of God and of neighbor, his commitment to the will of the father, and his true desire to fulfill his purpose gave him the strength to stand up and continue.  Jesus fell and fought to get back up when his destination was death; we fall and want to give up when our destination is eternal life.  Why are we so willing to give up and lie in the dust?

       When Jesus fell he looked up and saw the sneers of an angry crowd.  When we fall, we need only look up to see the loving face of a Father reaching out his hand to help us up.  So, what are you going to do?  Are you going to stay down and allow the world to trample you under its feet?  Or are you going to take God’s hand, stand up, and follow him on the road to salvation?

      

       What are some moments you have experienced that made you want to give up?  How did you deal with that discouragement?  Do you have any advice for people who want to give up?  Comments? Questions? Suggestions?