만남, 변화 그리고 행복이 있는 교회

- When you get to the end of a rope, tie a knot and hang on- Franklin D. Roosevelt

FDR is one of my favorite president and person in history. FDR is a symbol of the "never give up" in my mind.  There are many things in our lives that drives us to the point of an end. In spritual battles, in relationship quarrels, in parenthood challenges, in physical limitations, etc. 

Often i make attempts to overcome challenges and hardships with my own ability. I believe that I am old old enough, strong enough, smart enough and spritual enough. And at times I am. I learned through my experiences and equipped myself with the Word to overcome the obstacles. But, sometimes I struggle as probably most of us do. Suddenly, I'm at end of my rope. Situation could be that I was over confident or God desires for me learn and grow spritually, or both. All of us probably goes through this situation daily, some days more intense than the other. When we get to end of the rope, tie a knot. Before I say a harsh words that would hurt someone, before I do things that are not Christian-like, before I turn an opportunity of God's blessing into a stumbling block, tie a knot. Hang on - and then pray. God will send help. He will carry me. He will pull me. He will push me. He will save me. As He has done in the past, as He is now, and as He will in the future. 

In the group called AA (Alcoholic Anonymous), or any substance abuse clinics, they have a word: Fell off the wagon. This term means that the person couldn't resist the temptation and succumbed in their battle against alcolhol or other addiction. At the end, they couldn't hang on any longer. Maybe they didn't know how to tie a knot. Maybe they didn't know a help will arrive.
Everyday a christian faces not only the sprituals battles, but also personal battles that effects our christian lives. If I keep slipping down on the rope, I need to know where the end is. I need to make sure that I "stay on" the christian wagon.  I need to learn to have enough rope to tie a knot when I slip to the end so I can "stay on."     And hang on. And pray.  Help is on the way.