Slipping and Falling

As I was driving in to work this morning I saw a sight we’ve probably all witnessed in some form or another lately. A young man was walking on his way to Sawtooth Middle School and slipped on the ice and went down. He was, of course, just wearing shorts and a hoodie in 24 degree weather, too – totally unprepared to be lying in snow and ice! When he hit the ground, he did what many of us would do. He tried to play it off like it was no big deal. But, you could tell from the way he hit the ground - it had to hurt! He was going to be bruised, I imagine. Fortunately he had a couple buddies with him and one of them, after a few seconds, reached down and helped the kid up. He limped for a few steps; then, the three of them were walking along as if nothing had happened.

What a metaphor for the Christian walk! How often do we found ourselves walking our walk and are unexpectedly tripped up by Satan’s temptations? For the most part, we don’t plan to slip. It just happens. What do we do to prepare? Peter tells us in 1 Pet 5:8, “Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour.” We have to be ready! In other words, no spiritual “shorts and hoodies” when you’re in the winter of temptation! We have to arm ourselves with the “sword of the Spirit” and realize temptations may come.

The truth is many of us will, at some point, find ourselves fallen into sin. What we cannot do is act like it’s no big deal. It hurts. It hurts us emotionally. It hurts spiritually. It can hurt our families and those closest to us. So, when we fall, realize the gravity of the situation – and do what the young man did next…accept help. When we fall into sin, we’re going to have our spiritual bruises. It may affect our walk as a whole for a while. But, take those hands that are offered to you and get up. Get up and start walking with your Christian companions again.

God has blessed us with the church. We’re a family. We’re walking partners. We’re there to help each other up when we slip and fall. And maybe we’re there to remind each other to prepare for the tasks and temptations at hand. (Hey – it’s 24 degrees…put on some jeans!!) Take the hand God offers you so you can be the hand to reach out to help a fallen brother or sister back up – and get back in the walk.