When Lake Erie gets waves big enough to surf, look for me in the biggest one.  Surfing is fast, exciting, and intense.  It takes a lot of practice to become a skilled surfer.  You must learn the proper technique of standing, positioning yourself on the board, and finding the right wave.  There’s even a correct way to fall!  The experts describe in detail how to fall, and give specific instructions about getting back up again.  It’s not surprising that in surfing it is predicted that you will fall a few times, and probably many times.  But mainly, I like that it’s expected you will get back up.

Life has a tendency to knock us off our feet.  We get surprised by bad news, a loss of a job, a health crisis, and many other difficulties.  Sometimes we get hit in such a way that it seems easier to stay where we are, to not fight through the challenging time.  But Isaiah 41:10 says, “So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God.  I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.”  When we are weary of the trial and have no strength to get up, God is reaching out to give us a lift.  Isaiah 41:13-14, “For I am the Lord, your God, who takes hold of your right hand and says to you, Do not fear; I will help you…do not be afraid, for I myself will help you.” This life delivers some tough blows, but don’t give up when you fall.  It’s going to get better because God Himself is extending His hand towards you.  So here’s a question from Genesis 18:14: “Is anything too hard for the Lord?” (In case your wondering, the answer is: No. Nada. No siree. Fat chance. Zilch. Under no circumstances. Not in a million years. Negative.)