The Fall

I hate falling. But it is inevitable. We all fall.

I just came back from a short walk to get lunch with my cute little gray Aldo heels and WHAM! There I went hitting the pavement. Thought it would be a little trip but no…I went down for the count. I think I laughed out loud. But I did stare at the pavement in quick disbelief and disorientation wondering what just happened. It was quick, brief and then comes a young Jewish boy to pick me up and ask if I was okay.

Yes I am okay, but the ankle hurts.

See we can get back up from a fall, we can even have others pick us up…but in every fall something occurs. There is always that chance of loss or injury from a fall. We always lose something when we fall instantly.

Dignity, respect, confidence… all that quickly escapes. In the fall we feel shame, upset, embarrassment or the like. Thank God for the young Jewish boy….but wow! Here goes my little swollen ankle already. I was obviously embarrassed. As he helped me up, I looked around to see if anyone else saw! How we are always concerned with what everybody else thinks of our fall.

Human nature.

But we all fall.  That is a part of life. It is what we do when we get back up that counts the most. Can I pick myself up from this? At that moment—this boy was necessary to help me up. I already had impossible shoes for stability. Our surroundings and resources are ESSENTIAL!

Dear God, help us to always be prepared so that we are able to stand up STRONGER!!!

What did I do? I quickly bought new shoes! $7.99 goodies to get me by! Another life lesson….
BE PREPARED when there is shaking ground possibilities!

“In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one.”
‭‭Ephesians‬ ‭6:16‬ ‭NIV‬‬

Keeping sober, alert and strong is a lot of work. Looking at Ephesians 6, we put on the whole armor of God and MORE!!!! Gearing up is the most aggressive activity that we will have to do as a Christian. I always hear, “But tell me how?!?!”

Here is how…
Put on the full suit of armor that God wears when he goes into battle, so that you will be protected as you fight against the evil strategies of the accuser!
Your hand–to–hand combat is not with human beings, but with the highest principalities and authorities operating in rebellion under the heavenly realms.
For they are a powerful class of demon-gods and evil spirits that hold this dark world in bondage.
Because of this, you must wear all the armor that God provides so you’re protected as you confront the slanderer, for you are destined for all things and will rise victorious.
Put on the truth as a belt to strengthen you to stand in triumph.
Put on holiness as the protective armor that covers your heart.
Stand on your feet alert, then you’ll always be ready to share the blessings of peace as you subdue your enemies.
In every battle, take faith as your wrap-around shield, for it is able to extinguish the blazing arrows coming at you from the evil one!
Embrace the power of salvation’s full deliverance, like a helmet to protect your thoughts from lies.
And take the mighty Razor-Sharp Spirit-Sword [machaira] of the spoken Word of God.
Pray passionately in the spirit, as you constantly intercede with every form of prayer at all times.
Pray the blessings of God upon all his believers.
And pray also that God’s revelation would be released through me every time I preach the wonderful mystery of the hope-filled Gospel.
Yes, pray that I may preach the wonderful news of God’s kingdom with full freedom at every opportunity.
Even though I am chained as a prisoner, I am his ambassador.
6:11-20 The Passion Translation

MACHAIRA is a razor sharp Roman sword used in close combat. Imagine how sharp the Word of God is when used PROPERLY… FOR ANYONE can hold a sword, swing and hit but is it effective? Accurate? Will it kill? All depends on how you use this thing. You have to become an expert at being this ambassador for Christ. An expert warrior and keep fighting. Even if it feels like you find yourself trapped in a prison cell. You have to be aggressive, consistent and alert at all times.

We have the tools…. If you fall, GET BACK UP AND GEAR UP!!!!! Let’s be more careful folks.

Thank God for the little Jewish boy he sent my way to help pick me up.

Thank God for the little boy named Jesus that was sent my way to pick me up FOREVER!

In every fall there is a way up and out! For even from the fall of man God knew what He was doing and sent the Son of man!