We All Fall Down...To Get Back Up Again!

Sometimes they call it "overconfidence"...you know, when somebody thinks they've totally at the top of their game.  Everything inside tells them they are indefatigable, undefeatable...invincible.  Then, just when they think the victory is theirs, things don't go their way and all that smug assurance comes tumbling down around them.  The fact is, life seems to have a way of surprising us, even sneaking up on us when we're not looking. One minute we think we're on the right path, walking the straight and narrow.  The next we find that the trail has become mired and muddy, leading us deeper into a swamp, or sucking us into a pit of quicksand, where no matter how hard we struggle...we just managed to make it worse.

For some reason, we humans (myself included) have tendency to think that it's all about us.  After all, why not?  We rule the earth right?  We invented technology, right?  Just look at all the neat stuff we have and cool stuff we can do!  We are the incredible, invincible human race, and as long as we tread carefully, nothing and nobody can knock us off of our self-created pedestal, right?  Wrong!  For an example (and a good reminder) check out 1 Corinthians Chapter 10.  Paul points to the life and times of the children of Israel as a warning to those of us who are starting to get a little too comfortable in our own skin.  Time and time again, the Israelites thought they were on top of  it all.  I mean, look at all the cool stuff they did:  crossed the Red Sea on dry land, were specially escorted across the desert by God (in the form of the cloud and pillar of fire, how cool is that!), hung out with a guy that saw and spoke to God (Moses), received special provisions provided by the hand of God...the list goes on and on.  They must have been pretty great people to received all those privileges, huh?  Yet in verse 5 Paul writes that "Nevertheless, God was not pleased with most of them; their bodies were scattered over the desert."  Wait a minute...after doing so many wonderful things for them, how could He not be pleased?  I mean, why would He give blessings to people He didn't like or who didn't deserve them?

The problem was, the Israelites very quickly forgot about God's role in their success, and instead thought that it was all about them.  They soon convinced themselves that they had made all these wonderful things happen out of their (obvious) amazingness.  They weren't there to serve God...God was there to serve them.  As their own importance grew...their view of God's importance shrank so much that soon they didn't even realize they were on a path toward trouble.  In their opinion, they were being righteous and following God's commands...they all ate the same spiritual foods, brought sacrifices to the tabernacle, said the same spiritual words, and yet, "nevertheless, God was not pleased with most of them, and he punished them according to their sins (idolatry, sexual immorality, testing God, and get this, grumbling!). They thought going through the motions counted as doing everything right...only to wake up and find out that they were on the wrong path all together.

Paul says this is a warning for us.  Even if we think we're doing things right (i.e. going to church, volunteering with church activities, singing in choir, etc. etc.), if God is not the focal point of our lives and activities, Satan will soon sneak up on us and lead us down the wrong path (picture the sneaking Gollum leading Sam and Frodo towards the fires of Mordor).  The words of Casting Crown's song, Slow Fade, say the same thing:  sometimes it's a gradual process...we don't even notice when we're slipped, then all of a sudden were lying on the ground watching everything we've built come tumbling down around us.  That's what happens when we cease to focus on our ultimate goal (pursuing Christ to glorify Him) and begin to zone in on our personal goals and gains.

"So if you think you are standing firm, be careful that you don't fall!" Paul writes in 1 Corinthians 10:12.  However, there's more to it...he also offers words of hope.  "No temptation has seized you except what is common to man.  And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear.  But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can stand up under it."  (vs. 13)  Look, Paul says, you are not the first to experience these things.  Other people have faced the same troubles and challenges, and with God's help they have made it through.  We're not automatically doomed to end up in the quicksand.  God is never going to give us more than we can handle.  However, if we do go our own way and end up stuck in the swamp or the quick sand, God is willing to let us in on His Plan B.  He has thrown us a rope (or life preserver), in the form of his only Son, Jesus Christ, and will pull us out and set us back on the path to His glory again.

 Just like the Toby Mac song, when we take our eyes off of the prize that God has for us, "We all fall down," but with God's help we can "Get back up again.  It's never too late, to get back up again.  One day, [we're] gonna shine again.  [We] may be knocked down, but not out forever."

Book Review: Transforming the Church in Rural America

Transforming the Church in Rural America:  Breaking all the Rurals by Shannon O'Dell is written as a source of help and encouragement for pastors and leaders of small, rural churches who are struggling to keep their attendance up and their doors open.  Pastor O'Dell recounts his story of the struggles and successes he faced when called by God to leave his prominent position in a large, successful city church and to pastor a small church in rural Arkansas.  Mr. O'Dell shares his strategy for bring Christ-centered V.A.L.U.E (Vision, Attitude, Leadership, Understanding, Enduring Excellence) to rural churches in an effort to transform communities, bring relevancy to worship, and ultimately defy geographical challenges that often prevent smaller churches from reaching out and impacting the world for Christ.  In addition to personal testimony, Pastor O'Dell provides links, videos, and online resources to help these struggling churches step out in faith.

I initially chose to read this book because I grew up in a small, rural community and have personally seen churches have to close their doors due to lack of membership and leadership.  This book carries a "change is necessary for effective ministry and survival" message that I think is relevant and meaningful for these struggling churches, however difficult it may be to accept and implement.  The strategies and resources presented are thought-provoking and challenging.  My one caution is this:  if you are from one of these rural areas the book is geared towards, be careful not to let your pride get bristled up at some of the not-so-flattering images the author portrays of rural church life.  I think if you keep a Christ-like attitude when reading and the goal of reaching others firmly in mind, you will be more welcoming towards the new and exciting ideas presented in the book.   In my opinion, this if a worthwhile read for anyone who is seeking a more effective church ministry.


Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the publisher through the BookSneeze.com <http://BookSneeze.com> book review bloggers program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 <http://www.access.gpo.gov/nara/cfr/waisidx_03/16cfr255_03.html> : “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”