| Author | Message | ||
| Flyinglady Registered user Username: Flyinglady Post Number: 3001 Registered: 3-2004  |
I found this on CARM and thought all of you would enjoy it. I like ice skating and watch it on TV. Diana Several Olympic skaters showed me that no fall is so embarrassing that they could not pull things together and finish their competition. They began poised, proficient, making an amazing spin or leap, but failing to find their footing, they fell. Although they might have hurt more than their pride, they skated on, completing their program. Even if their costumes donít look as glamorous; their makeup, streaky from their tears ñ they finished. Afterwards, when they and their audiences watched their performance scores, marred by their spills, cameras with zoom lenses caught their faces ñ grim, determined, brave. When I fall down, I am tempted to hide ñ hoping no one notices ñ while looking for someone else to blame, certain that someone withheld what they should have known I needed. Sometimes, I include my God as failing to come across. Just like the skaters who fall, ìfailing to find their footingî after a salchow or triple lutz, Iíve taken some comparably embarrassing spills ñ mercifully not on the ice on worldwide TV! But, I have stumbled in front of really important people: my husband, family, good friends. Why the skaters and I founder have similarities, though in widely dissimilar circumstances: underreckoning the challenge and overrating my ability ñ pride ñ which precedes all fall! Only rarely, have I fallen because someone else tripped me up, like the skaters who lock blades and tumbled. No, my most colossal blunders are tied directly to what I did, or could have avoided doing. But the aftermath is as uncomfortable as sitting bare-legged on ice. Bruised, barelegged, and bereft on ice is not where champions stay ñ and itís no place for a child of God, either! Too, often I have lacked the zeal, conviction, and determination in picking myself up that Olympic skaters show. How do I rise up, and resume my ìprogram?î Watching the bruised skaters, I gleaned from their determination a message Paul would agree with ñ Keep the prize in mind, and finish, not just somehow, but well. (1 Corinthians 9:24-27) The cameras show them skating afterwards to the sidelines and waiting for the scores; I know I have Someone to run to, even before I finish ñ when failure is ìburningî me, I can run home to one who always picks me up ñ when I repent and confess. (2 Corinthians 7:10) Even if I commenced my program in my own strength, He will give me a great finale when I turn back ñ no matter who is watching, or keeping score. Because of Christ, though I fall, He keeps me in the running; I have hope, no matter my bruises! Because of this genuine help, I have an obligation to do my part ñ for He is at work, even in my flops, making me a star! (Romans 8:12, 18, 28-29; Philippians 2:12-18) | ||
| Lisa_boyldavis Registered user Username: Lisa_boyldavis Post Number: 240 Registered: 3-2005 |
I love your insight! Lisa |
