Get Back Up

We are all going to get knocked down throughout life. I tell my Kindergarteners that life involves falling and getting back up to acquire a new skill. Literal examples include walking and riding a bike. In the case of a five-year-old, academic mistakes occur when learning how to read, write, count, and add. They have a choice: dwell on those mistakes, say, “I can’t…”, and shut down. Or, they can try again knowing that their brains are getting bigger and smarter with each mistake that is overcome. I remind them of the joy of walking and bike riding that came with a cost. If they persevere, the students will soon be enjoying one of the greatest human gifts of reading and being able to communicate with others through writing.

The stakes get bigger as we age. If I were to fall down on concrete, I could wind up in the hospital with joints in worse shape than they already are. As a result, I use caution and decline certain challenges like snow skiing.

I love that Kindergarteners are incredibly forgiving if someone is unkind but says a simple, “Sorry”. They don’t criticize if a peer can’t write his/her own name or counts, “1, 2, 5, 7”. They are uninhibited and free to color everything in a rainbow pattern. They are all learning together and expect to make mistakes. 

A couple of years later, children become self-conscious and timid. Competition is more important. Differences are noticed, and they might get teased for multiplying incorrectly. That’s when students can start falling through the cracks and believe inaccuracies about themselves when the enemy whispers, “You’re dumb. You can’t do anything right. No one likes you.” Until the lies are accepted. The child then repeats the untruths subconsciously. Thus, the agony continues, and the enemy moves onto his next victim.

The consequences can be huge for adults. One night of wanting to feel loved can lead to an unwanted pregnancy. Drinking to escape pain can result in a DUI or tragic accident. Believing the grass is greener on the other side of the fence will cause destruction to a marriage and family. These mistakes are not dissolved quickly with a simple, “Sorry.”

Let’s revisit our Savior’s last night as a human. He had just told the Disciples that one of them would betray them. They all ask, “Is it I, Lord?” except for Judas Isacariot who asks, “Is it I, Rabbi?” (Matthew 26:21)

I believe Judas loved Jesus during those three years. They must have laughed and enjoyed each other’s company while they traveled, ate, and lodged together. After that much time, the disciples understood and learned to ignore each other’s quirks and annoying habits. They were growing together in their faith and knowledge with the best teacher. Was Judas accepting Jesus’ guidance only in his mind? Did it never go down to his heart? At the end, it appears Judas still only saw Him as a rabbi like the first day they met. His understanding and will could not surrender to accept Jesus as his Lord over everything.

What was his motive in taking the 30 pieces of silver for betrayal? Was He so frustrated that Jesus didn’t overthrow the Romans and act like a political and military king everyone wanted? Did he believe that backing Jesus into a corner with the religious leaders would reveal His divine power and start a revolution? Or, was it because ^“the devil had already prompted Judas, the son of Simon Iscariot, to betray Jesus” (John 13:2), and ^“as soon as Judas took the bread, Satan entered into him” (John 13:27)?  After Judas saw that Jesus was condemned, he repented and tried to return the 30 pieces of silver to the chief priests and elders. Their rejection made him believe there was only one choice to deal with his shameful act that led to the crucifixion of his friend, who it turns out really was the Messiah. He quickly chose suicide by hanging. (Matthew 27:3-5) Did he go to Heaven? I would like to think so, but Jesus had said, “woe to that man who betrays the Son of Man! It would be better for him if he had not been born” (Matthew 26:24). 

Look at Saul, the evil Pharisee who tormented and killed Christians. After God blinded him and showed him the truth of his actions, he became a powerful witness for Jesus. He owned His past failures and used them to testify about Jesus’ mercy, grace, and goodness and become one of the greatest Bible teachers.

What if Judas chose to own up to his horrible mistake and stayed alive to spend the rest of his life teaching about Jesus? He could have led countless numbers of lost souls to our Redeemer.

We’ve all kept parts of our faith at the mind level. For instance, it took me 40 years to accept that I could actually be loveable even though God has been telling me that the whole time. Once I get His promises in my heart, I can embrace who I am in Him. Then, I hear Him say, “Finally. Now we can move on to what I want to do through your life.” We need to make up for all the time I wasted with the enemy’s lies. 

Should my fear of what others think be bigger than the new thing I AM is doing in my life? If I’m stuck worrying about how others will react, I stay in my rut and wander the same paths over and over again like the Israelites wandering the desert for 40 years. They could have entered the Promised Land in 11 days. But, they were so focused on the misery of being slaves in Egypt because it’s all they knew most of their lives. They quickly forgot all of the miracles of the 10 plagues and parting of the Red Sea. God couldn’t do anything with them until they embraced the exciting new land and life He had waiting for them. 

Recently the DJs on a Christian radio station talked about Zacchaeus. He was able to climb the tree and see Jesus because God had gone before to grow it there. He has already gone ahead of you to prepare the setting of His new work in your life. Are you willing to leave the old behind and embrace the new?

I can “fall” whether by the harshness of life, my choices, or someone else’s cruelty. It is at those low times that I must go to the beach. The vastness of the water reminds me of God’s power, might, and ability. The consistent crashing of the waves reflect His loving presence that never leaves. No matter how far I run, He will be with me. He gives me space to figure things out because He’s a gentleman and wants my will to surrender to His authority, wisdom, and grace. When I reach that moment of submission, I AM scoops me up in His wide arms and all is well in my soul again. All of the time and energy I wasted trying to please others and control my circumstances fade away like waves that recede back to the sea.

Let’s finish with the best example: Jesus. What if He didn’t see His mission to completion? I couldn’t blame Him for not wanting to go through with the beating and crucifixion. I’m sure the angels were watching this horrific event in Heaven. They would gladly have rescued Him with one groan of “Help”. They must have been ready to destroy the humans involved, yet they were told to stand down so innocent blood could pay for our sins.

What if Jesus didn’t get back up in the tomb? We wouldn’t have the gifts of grace, salvation, and hope of eternal life with Him. We may be sacrificing animals and having to go through priests. We would not know the joy of entering His presence when we are thankful for HIs victories and silly moments in our lives. When humans are not capable of calming us down, who would we turn to when we’re curled up in a ball in emotional or physical pain? There have been many times I could feel myself lying in God’s lap with Him petting my hair to soothe my soul. Thank you, Jesus, for getting back up! 

Do you want to reflect Judas or Jesus? I’m not saying you have to get up this second. It’s okay to rest a little while longer. Keep in mind that this valley is not your identity. You are a child of the King of kings and Lord of lords. Your circumstances may not change but your mindset and spirit can rise above this situation. It may take inch by inch, but over time, you’ll see improvement. Maybe you need to soak in beautiful music as you take deep breaths and surrender to God’s will. Or, do you need to stop procrastinating and just get up and do what you know is the next best step even if it’s scary?

For the sake of I AM, you, and your loved ones, I urge you to get back up.