I am constantly surprised by how people bounce back from life-shattering experiences, whether it be a death of a loved one, a failed marriage, a bankruptcy or even a time of spiritual backsliding. In seeing others or even ourselves go through such crises, we should never judge one’s whole life by the present circumstance. Most lives are long enough to amend mistakes and change for the good. We should not expect perfection from others or ourselves. We all make mistakes. So, instead of being defined by the mistakes we have made we need to allow ourselves and others the possibility of getting back up and finishing well. Proverbs 24:16 says this: “The righteous fall seven times and rise again.”
It is not to say that the mistakes we have made do not leave their mark. Jacob had a tumultuous life before he had an encounter with God at Bethel. He had deceived his brother, lied to his father, stole from his father-in-law, and fled from his wife’s family. At the lowest point of Jacob’s life, when he was overcome with the fear of facing his past sins, he encountered God. During this all-night battle with God, Jacob came away a changed man. He was not longer Jacob the deceiver but was now Israel the prince of God. This experience was life changing but left him walking with a limp. It was a constant reminder of the consequence of sin and the abundance of God’s grace.
Life needs to be seen as a marathon, not a 100-yard dash. We need to pace ourselves and be patient with the frailty of our humanity. Over the course of this life-long journey, there are many opportunities to repent again, forgive again, love again, and try again. I say “opportunities” because there is no guarantee that that we will change. We do have the option of hardening our hearts, by not forgiving, by not believing in the genuineness of one’s repentance, and by not even trying to change. At any point in this journey, we can turn away from God or turn to Him. We can become bitter or better.
I would say that most everyone goes through their own crisis of faith. There are those valleys in which God seems so silent and distant. Fears overwhelm us and all seems lost. But, as Yogi Berra used to say: “It ain’t over till it’s over”. As long as there is life there is hope. If you find yourself in a pit of despair, you can get out of it. If you have fallen again, then get back up again. Thomas Edison failed one thousand times at making an incandescent light bulb, before he finally succeeded. He is not remembered for is multiple failures, but for his successes. Because he never gave up, the world has benefitted from his many inventions.
Nature teaches us this important lesson. A flood, a forest fire, or an earthquake can devastate a landscape, but after a few months or years nature has recovered from the tragedy and seems to be more beautiful than it was before. If you have gone through the fire and you feel so devastated and wounded by life’s bumps in the road, don’t stop. Keep on going. Don’t nurse the hurts; disperse them. As the psalmist says: “Weeping may endure for the night, but joy comes in the morning.” (Psalm 30:5) There are better days ahead.
What will be your legacy? Will you end with regrets and in a mire of self-pity, or will you leave to the next generation the story of overcoming great obstacles and trials. Lay hold of that for which you were created. Press forward, along life’s journey, to obtain the unfading crown of glory.
Scriptures to meditate on:
Psalm 30:5; Proverbs 24:16; Lamentations 3:23; Philippians 2: 12-13; 1 John 1:9