Free to Soar
“But those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles.” Isaiah 40:31
“Help, I’ve fawlin’ and I can’t get up!…” In 1987, this line influenced pop culture. Remember the TV commercial for a medical alarm company called LifeCall? The motivation behind these alarm systems is that senior citizens live at home alone, and may find themselves in medical danger with no one (and no phone) nearby to help them get up. The product provides its subscribers with a small pendant, worn around the wrist or neck; the wearer presses the button on it, and are immediately put into contact with a dispatcher who can send emergency help. The TV AD featured, a fictional elderly lady named “Mrs. Fletcher” who had fallen, with her walker, in the bathroom.
The commercial shows a serious situation for a senior (elderly people with no one to care for them may fall in their homes and be on the floor for hours or even days, unable to get help).The “I’ve fallen and I can’t get up” ad had the double misfortune of being unintentionally tacky and appearing often on cable and daytime TV. The combination made “I’ve fallen… and I can’t get up!” became a universal punch line that applied to many funny situations.
When we fall, we must admit: “Help I’ve Fallen and I can’t get up.”
Not only do we want to get up again, we want to soar over our trials and pain. Some might wonder how this might work. Did you know there are ways to increase your chances of survival in a fall, even if it is accidental, like from scaffolding around a building project, or recreational, as in the case of an adventurous skydive. In the same way, you and I can learn to thrive after we are slip and fall in the trials and challenges life brings. These lessons, when applied, can prepare us for the time when life knocks us flat on our faces. We know that it’s not if but when we fall.
The desired result is to victoriously get back up, joyfully walk on in renewed hope and learn to stay on top of life’s challenges. Take the hand of God; allow God to help you work through your heartaches and hard times, and you will be ushered into a place of abundant, complete healing. Joy is the result. Its presence replaces your gloom and despair with warm radiant hope. Soaring is entirely possible when we do things in God’s power with his strength “But those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength.They will soar on wings like eagles.” Isaiah 40:31
I found help this weekend. Last week, God convicted me about the fact I was spending too much time on social media.
The next morning during my devotions, he led me to a plan. This was just between us. And now it’s Monday morning, my chains have been loosed. My shackles of shame, the bondage of blame and feelings of helplessness are totally gone. Today I have a choice. The choice is found in Galatians 5:1 “It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm, then, and do not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery.”
to stand alone as a prisoner of your pain or move with God in liberty. How will you respond when the future brings fear and anxiety? Remember, you are offered a grace-filled, guilt-free life because of Jesus Christ. Each day the choice is yours. Reach out, take His hand, and walk with Him—if you want to soar. He will take off your chains! This kind of truth ignites your faith. It transforms your behavior to reflect your belief about God. The Holy Spirit beckons you to rise up in response to the truth; He invites you to get up and join him in living an abundant life. And that my friends, is falling forward into faith, rising up with God’s powerful help and then we are free to gracefully soar with triumph!
Dear Heavenly Father, Thank you for the choice to choose to allow you to help me up. I choose faith instead of fear. I choose peace instead of anxiety. I receive the grace-filled, guilt-free life you offer. Thank you for grabbing onto my hand. I choose not to let go. In Jesus’ Name, Amen
For more information, free resources, encouragement or to buy a copy of Sheryl’s book, “Get Back Up: Trusting God When Life Knocks You Down,” check out her hope-filled blogs, articles and music at www.fromashestobeauty.com
