GET BACK UP!

I heard the howling from across the frozen lake. Not wanting to miss a photo op, I grabbed my camera, put on my camo jacket for stealth, slipped on my crocks (bad move), and darted out the door, ill-prepared for an adventure in the snow!

So, here’s a tip on photography apparel: Crocks might be wonderful footwear on warm summer days when photographing the beach, but they are not advisable in freezing temperatures with snow and ice on the ground!

As concealment, I jogged as sneakily as possible toward the shoreline using trees and bushes between the coyote and me. Sure enough, my crocks failed me as I hit the slope near the lake and skated down the hill. By the time I realized what happened, I was lying flat on my back, camera held in a protective posture! I recovered, got back up, and more nimbly continued toward the bank of the lake, hoping the commotion hadn’t scared the coyote away. He was preoccupied, and my prowling techniques paid off. I raised the camera to watch him sauntering along a narrow break in the ice.

I snapped a few photos and watched as he dipped his muzzle into the lake for an ice-cold drink. He moved along the ice edge, stopping frequently to look around.

Suddenly, the coyote disappeared! I held my camera intently on the spot where he vanished. He had fallen through the ice. Moments later, his two paws appeared on the edge of the broken ice. Clawing, he pulled his soaked, heavy winter-coated body out of the icy drink

I wonder how many times the Lord has watched me fall? I suspect He has seen each one. My “coyote on ice” experience reminds me of the promise in Proverbs 26:16.

“for the righteous falls seven times and rises again…”

I guess the coyote and I both took a fall! I know what it’s like to fall hard in life. I know what it’s like to fall over and over again! I’m accomplished at guilt, regret, despair, hopelessness, and the fears associated with a fall.

Often, I have fallen by mistake. It was an accident, but it still hurts and is embarrassing. I have also fallen because I was foolish or made decisions not in God’s best interests or even my own.

Multiple or devastating falls can leave you on your back so discouraged that you wonder if it’s even worth trying to get up again.

And so, the promise: The RIGHTEOUS falls seven times and RISE again!

BUT falling doesn’t seem righteous. So, it’s easy to believe your identity is not righteousness. This lack of esteem in Jesus can pin you down.

If you are “in Jesus”, YOU ARE RIGHTEOUS! It’s the truth, and it’s your identity. So, rising again is what you do! Rising again is a characteristic of Jesus, and resilience suits WHO you are in Him!

So you have fallen seven times… in other words, you have fallen completely, thoroughly, wholly. You may even feel like you have fallen irreversibly.

Hear this, dear friend. The fall is only temporary. Your destiny is to rise again!

This is not a “pull yourself up by your bootstraps” pep talk. Sorry, your bootstraps aren’t good enough. But the Holy Spirit is! The effort we contribute is our trust, reliance, and faith in Jesus. Set your mind on His rescue, His presence, His faithfulness.

Your destiny is to rise again!

The water made the coyote’s coat heavy, and the situation was dangerous. When he came out of the water, he shook it off. Maybe it’s time to shake off the fall! What clings to you? Stand up and “shake” it off. Let the Holy Spirit lighten your burden, release your guilt, extinguish your fears, and empower your next step.

I was telling my granddaughter about my coyote adventure. When I got to the part about the coyote disappearing through the ice, in deep concern, she asked if I went out to rescue the coyote.

The coyote didn’t need my rescue. It had everything it needed to climb back to safety. And you do, too. His name is Jesus! Don’t let the fall cause you to hide in shame or embarrassment. Don’t wait to call out to Him until you have “put yourself together” or until you have regained your composure. Don’t avoid coming to Jesus while you look for another solution. It is dangerous to waffle in the life-sucking water. Set your eyes on Jesus instantly. Reach out to Him immediately.

Get back up! Resilience suits you!

Lessons from a coyote on ice.

Rise Up, CAIN

“Coyote on Ice”