I’ve often wondered why Autumn is called Fall. With all the slipping and sliding going on I think Fall would be a better description of Winter.
In the Walk-in Clinic where I work, we can always tell when it’s icy outside, because we get inundated by people who have slipped and fallen on their backside. This last week was that kind of week. I lost track of how many people I saw with one injury or another from slipping on the ice.
I’ve done enough falling myself to know how easy it is to think you’re doing just fine, only to have your feet shoot right out from under you. I’m not just talking about in winter weather either. I mean in life in general.
1 Corinthians 10:12 (NIV) warns, “So, if you think you are standing firm, be careful that you don’t fall!” So often I think I’m doing just fine in my Christian walk, only to have some little annoyance or the simplest temptation trip me up and send me sprawling.
I think this was what Paul Simon was talking about in the song, “Slip Slidin’ Away.” He sang, “We work our jobs, collect our pay, believe we’re gliding down the highway, when in fact we’re slip slidin’ away.” Everything can seem to be going right when suddenly we find ourselves “slip slidin’ away”, flat on our backs, knocked down by our sin once more.
When we keep “slip slidin’ away” it can get discouraging, but remember, we have a God who understands our weakness. He has walked this slippery path before us. He was “tempted in every way, just as we are – yet he did not sin.” (Hebrews 4:15). He promises if we will just cling to Jesus He will “keep [us] from falling, and…present [us] faultless before the presence of his glory with exceeding joy…” (Jude 1:24 KJV)
It doesn’t matter how often we’ve fallen or how bad our sin, “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” (1 John 1:9). The important thing is we realize our weakness and cling every moment to God’s matchless strength. It is only by holding onto Him we can ever stop our endless “slip slidin’ away.”
This morning, as you walk this slippery path called Life, don’t be discouraged if you slip and fall from time-to-time. Instead, “Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and he shall lift you up.” (James 4:10). Then hold on to Him for dear life and never let go!
With Jesus walking by your side there’ll be no more “slip slidin’ away”, because He “is able to keep you from falling.” Put your trust in Him, hold tight to His hand, and He will lead you safely through this storm and someday bring you safely Home.
God bless and have a happy (and safe) Sabbath!