Things Happen

 

I'm typing this post with one hand, so it will be short. 

Two days ago, I took my puppy for a walk. She does great. Stays right beside me. Doesn't get too distracted by people or other dogs. I wrote about her in an earlier post. But something went wrong on that walk. I messaged my adult kids to tell them what happened. 

"Winda and I walked 1.98 miles. She's doing great. However, I took quite a spill.  I'm not sure what happened. Winda walks right by me but either she or I miss stepped just enough that I tripped over her. Hard fall on both hands and my knees. The left palm is pretty bruised, not so much the right one. The right knee has a scrape on it. Just a small scratch on the left knee. But I'm fine. The interesting thing about it was Winda's reaction. She was wrapping herself around me like a boa constrictor around a rabbit. Licking me, and in my face. I had to reassure her that I was okay before she would let me up. "

 The next day, after ice packs and OTC pain meds, I decided I should go to my PCP to get myself checked out. Hence the brace and one hand typing. What can we learn from this experience?

Psalm 37:23-24 Holman Christian Standard Bible 23 A man’s steps are established by the Lord, and He takes pleasure in his way. 24 Though he falls, he will not be overwhelmed, because the Lord holds his hand.

Sometimes we fall. We may not understand why. But we can know with assurance that God is with us. 

1 Corinthians 10:11-13 Holman Christian Standard Bible 11 Now these things happened to them as examples, and they were written as a warning to us, on whom the ends of the ages have come. 12 So, whoever thinks he stands must be careful not to fall. 13 No temptation has overtaken you except what is common to humanity. God is faithful, and He will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation He will also provide a way of escape so that you are able to bear it.

Maybe I was overconfident in how well Winda was doing. Maybe I lost my focus. Maybe she lost hers.  I thought we were doing great until I was on the ground. As Christians we can't lose focus on Jesus, or we can fall to temptation. He's always there to provide a way to avoid temptation, but we have to keep our eyes on Him. 

Now, I don't want to be flippant or irreverent, so understand that I am not comparing my dog to God. But notice her reaction when I fell. She showed great concern for me. She didn't leave me. She's just a dog. How much more can we be assured that God is concerned for us, that He loves us, that He protects us. 

1 Peter 1:5-6 HCSB You are being protected by God’s power through faith for a salvation that is ready to be revealed in the last time. 6 You rejoice in this, though now for a short time you have had to struggle in various trials

Our Sunday School lesson last week was about spiritual warfare. My fall was one of several events since Sunday that reminded me of that. After we were all asleep in bed, a young man showed up at our door needing help. A scheduled appliance installation was rescheduled after I had moved furniture and cabinet contents in preparation. A substitute mail carrier didn't deliver my packages. In these situations, did I experience fear or show hospitality, become frustrated or show understanding, have patience or impatience?

Ephesians 6:10-13 HCSB  10 Finally, be strengthened by the Lord and by His vast strength. 11 Put on the full armor of God so that you can stand against the tactics of the Devil. 12 For our battle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the world powers of this darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavens. 13 This is why you must take up the full armor of God, so that you may be able to resist in the evil day, and having prepared everything, to take your stand. 

The devil will use everyday occurrences to tempt us, to take our focus off Jesus. We must depend on God for our strength and our protection.

Romans 8:26-29 HCSB 26 In the same way the Spirit also joins to help in our weakness, because we do not know what to pray for as we should, but the Spirit Himself intercedes for us with unspoken groanings. 27 And He who searches the hearts knows the Spirit’s mind-set, because He intercedes for the saints according to the will of God. 28 We know that all things work together for the good of those who love God: those who are called according to His purpose. 29 For those He foreknew He also predestined to be conformed to the image of His Son, so that He would be the firstborn among many brothers. 

God's plan for all believers is for us to become more like Him. The devil tries to use our "bad experiences" to take our eyes off Jesus, but God uses them to make us more like Him. He works all these things together to conform us to Himself when our love is for Him, not for the selfish sinful desires of our flesh.

Romans 12:1-2 HCSB Therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, I urge you to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God; this is your spiritual worship. 2 Do not be conformed to this age, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may discern what is the good, pleasing, and perfect will of God.