Rising Up Out of the Mess

When my kids were taking their first steps and they fell after only a few inches, I didn’t scold them and tell them not to fall down again. No. I clapped and cheered, celebrated and shouted, “Check that out. He took a step. He’s moving forward! Isn’t that amazing!”

The point is not that they fell when they were trying to walk, but that they were actually doing it. When good daddies (and mommies) celebrate these baby steps, their kids not only learn to walk and run, but to fly. You learned to move forward because you hadn’t learned to fear failure. Picture your daddy giving you an ice cream cone. When he does, he is not telling you not to make a mess. He already knows there is going to be a mess, and he is confident that he can handle the cleanup. Isn’t that great to know?

If you fear your mess will bring disapproval, you’ll never take that first bite even though he purchased it and handed it to you. This is where a lot of people are today, afraid to go after upgrade and chase the heart of God for fear of disappointing Him. Is that you? If it is, remember the old hymn: “Come just as you are…”

Jesus loves a fixer-upper, so give Him opportunities to work on you! He’s confident He can handle any mess you make.