I Get Knocked Down, But I Get Up Again
Those who have committed to Christ’s command to serve the under-resourced, the marginalized, the forgotten can easily get tempted to quit.
Many times their courageous looking exterior is masking a very discouraged and tired interior.
Just recently I sent an email to some people who inspire me. They are making such a huge difference when it comes to fighting global poverty, solving local hunger during the pandemic and serving selflessly on the front lines of our tragic homeless issues.
At the end of my email I tagged the scripture, “Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.” Galatians 6:9
Surprisingly, their responses back were, “Wow, that verse couldn’t have come at a better time.” And several of them shared with me their discouragement, weariness and doubt whether they were making a real difference.
They said Paul’s verse reminded them again that Jesus said it would never be easy to serve the hurting and broken, especially when the rest of the world tends to look the other way.
The writer of Hebrews says, “Let us run with endurance the race that God has set before us.”
It is always easier to start something than to finish it.
The thought of changing our world is much easier than doing it!
How many have ever started a diet but within a week had given up? Within a day? Within an hour? Minutes? It’s just human nature.
When we choose to follow Jesus and the prophets who said to feed the hungry, shelter the homeless, father the fatherless, take care of widows and fight against injustice, the scriptures remind us it will cost us something, maybe everything. But the scriptures also remind us God will give us the power to do his will.
We can have the greatest intentions in the world but without a power supply greater than ourselves, we will run out of gas.
The apostle Paul reminded his prodigy Timothy, “God had not given him a spirit of fear, but of POWER, love and a sound mind.”
How do we experience God’s power?
It starts with surrender.
Something very powerful happens when we say the words, “I can’t do this on my own anymore!”
On Fifth Avenue in New York City, in front of the RCA building, there is a huge statue of Atlas, with all his muscles straining to hold the world on his shoulders.
Atlas is facing Saint Patrick’s Cathedral, right across the street. In the lobby of the church there is a shrine of Jesus as a boy, with no effort, holding the world in the palm of his hand.
You and I have a choice. We can try to carry the world on our shoulders or we can say, “God, here’s my life, I give you my world.”
It’s also important to remember it is normal to get knocked down when trying to serve our world.
Emmitt Smith, the NFL’s all time leading rusher, ran over 10 miles in his record breaking career. His career yards per carry were 4.2, which means Emmitt was tackled 4370 times in his Hall of Fame career.
Imagine this: In the midst of running 10 miles, Emmitt was knocked down 4370 times by sweaty, angry 300 pound linemen.
Now imagine getting up this morning and because you know jogging is good for your heart, cholesterol and weight management, you put on your running shoes and short shorts and you start running through your neighborhood.
Now imagine running through your neighborhood while getting knocked down every 4.2 yards by angry, sweaty 300 pound linemen. How long would you last? How long would I last?
That’s life isn’t it? About every 4.2 yards, in the words of John Madden, “BAM”, life hits you hard. Life seems to have 300 pound linemen hitting us from every direction. It seems each year these 300 pound linemen get faster and stronger.
Every 4.2 yards Emmitt Smith had a choice, “Am I gonna get back up or am I gonna stay down?” He got back up 4370 times.
I’m sure he didn’t always feel like getting back up.
I’m sure there were times when he was hurt, discouraged and just plain tired.
Emmitt Smith kept breaking records, winning super bowls and motivating teammates because he kept getting back up.
A very wise prophet said thousands of years ago something just as relevant today. “The LORD gives strength to those who are weary. Even young people get tired, then stumble and fall. But those who trust the LORD will find new strength. They will be strong like eagles soaring upward on wings; they will walk and run without getting tired.”
Norman Vincent Peale wrote, “If you have no problems at all, I warn you, you’re in grave jeopardy. You are on your way out and you don’t know it! If you don’t have any problems, I suggest that you immediately race from wherever you are, jump into your car and drive home as fast as you can, and go straight to your bedroom and slam the door. Then get on your knees and pray, ‘What’s the matter, Lord? Don’t you trust me anymore? Give me some problems!’”
Remember the words of the Apostle Paul who said, “Even when we don’t know what to do, we never give up. In times of trouble, God is with us. And when we are knocked down we get up again.”