Christian Living

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Larry Lilly's Letter Monday May 29, 2006

God has trusted me to help men and women who stumble or in some cases dive into sin to get up and go on to renewed love and service for Jesus Christ. Doing this kind of rescue often leads to misunderstanding and more than you might think, attacks from those who will admit to having sinned, but not to THAT degree!!

I rediscovered a quote that I used years ago that set me to thinking along these lines this morning. Here's the quote:

“I don't measure a man's success by how high he climbs but how high he bounces when he hits bottom.”

Failure of different kinds plagues the sons of Adam, redeemed or otherwise and we cheer the runner who falls in a race and gets up to finish. How many times did Galye Sayers hit the ground on his way to being a champion running back? And what about Babe Ruth's strike out record?

The list carries over into the spiritual realm with such luminaries as Peter, David, Samson, even Paul's time in the Arabian desert and don't forget Mark who ultimately became a trusted profitable servant of Christ and Paul.

What's the point and why do you mention these biblical characters in the same breath as sports icons?

The point is simple and both groups tie to the quote.

When a person makes a statement such as the one I am writing about today, you tend to consider the source. You ask, what kind of person said this? Was it said by a person of character? What sort of experience do they possess?

“I don't measure a man's success by how high he climbs but how high he bounces when he hits bottom.”

General George S. Patton.

I assume you agree the man who, though he thought he was the reincarnation of one of the Caesars, knew a little bit about falling down and getting up? And he recognized that it often takes more grit to get up and go on than to just lay there and whine. He knew that whining does not win wars nor does whining produce a winning life.

Jesus knows and teaches the same thing that's why the offer of forgiveness and restoration is a standing one.

If/when you fail many will tell you, "Well, it's over for you." You don't have to listen.

Larry Lilly Copyright © 2006 Use with credit.

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