Standing on the Edge

Jumping on the trampoline in our backyard used to be my favorite outdoor activity, next to swinging on my swing.  However, after I sprained my ankle on it when I was twelve, I lost my enthusiasm for it.  Even when we are older, we still experience similar situations.  We get inspired to shoot for the stars, but fall back down to where we are comfortable after getting burned by the heat of the stars.  Of course, sometimes we get burned for being foolish or imprudent, like jumping on the trampoline with too many kids (of which you happen to be the smallest), but it can also happen when we try to do good things.

Are you willing to get back on your feet and try again, even after getting burned?  In Proverbs 24:16, it says “for a just man falleth seven times, and riseth up again: but the wicked shall fall into mischief”.  Getting back up is never easy, and even once a person manage to get back on his feet, that person still has the mud of fear in his heart.  Many people fear failure because they don’t want to risk being rejected by others, especially when it comes to standing up for the Faith.  Some people lose a sense of compassion, becoming cold and heartless to the pains of others, simply because they do not want to risk feeling pain again.

One could say that great things are only done after great risks are taken, but that seems like a rather shallow, prideful, and unfulfilling reason to risk so much pain.  Challenges are good and inspiring, but alone, success is quite empty.  As a Christian, I know that I am redeemed and bound for Heaven with God as my Guide.  I don’t have to fear failing or feeling pain because success and happiness are not the things that I count on for fulfillment; rather, I find fulfillment in God’s love.  Because I don’t have to count on earthly success or happiness for my fulfillment, I have the freedom to fall, learning from my mistakes, the freedom to risk it by standing on the edge of the cliff, and (Lord willing) the freedom to soar like an eagle.