FALL FORWARD

FALL FORWARD and MAKE a DIFFERENCE

I’m finally enjoying some rest and relaxation after a very challenging three weeks working with my husband at or retreat property in Georgia. The 18 hour (two day ride in the back of our Sierra) always exhausts me and it takes days for my body and mind to recover.. I’m always grateful to God for his protecting angels keeping us safe from accidents and interstate disasters.

So here I am back at our New Jersey rental, basking in God’s gracious presence and so overcome with Love and gratefulness for His provision and faithfulness. I feel a surge in my inner spirit as I lift up in prayer the name of many people in Mark and my life.

While in Georgia, I fell upon a beautiful YouTube devotion page which I start my day with. I noticed a Denzel Washington video in the cue. Denzel happens to be one of my favorite and beloved actors and the film which most inspired and astounded me was his incredible performance in the the film, The Book o Eli. Though the opening scene of him shooting a feral cat for his meal almost made me refuse to watch the rest of the movie, (because I am a devout cat lover, lol) I felt compelled to watch this post apocalyptic movie, knowing that any film Denzel stars in is excellent.

I click on the video and Denzel is speaking to graduation college students. He shares his testimony about his life’s journey., the pitfalls, the disappointments and inspiring people whose council influenced his decisions and successes. People reminded the young man to “make sure you have something to fall back on.” His response was, “If I’m going to fall, I don’t want to fall back on anything except my faith. I want to fall forward, at least.I’ll see what I’m going to hit. Fall forward”.

He went on to tell the students that everyone had the gifts and talents to succeed. But, did they have the courage to fail? “The rewards will be great, “,he said.. The chances they take, the people they meet the people they love and the faith that they have, is what will define.

“Keep striving, never give up, fall down seven times, get up at eight. Ease is a greater threat to progress than hardship. Dreams without goals are just dreams.”

The conclusion of his speech was “The most selfish thing you can do in this world. is to help someone else. I’ve kept God in my life and it’s kept me humble. I didn’t always stick with Him, but He always stuck with me. So stick with Him in everything you do!”

His concluding statement was, “Don’t aspire to make a living. Aspire to make a difference”

In The Book of Eli, Eli, (Denzel’s character), he truly portrays the hero, the survivor and God’s faithful servant as he battles his way through the wasteland of post-apocalyptic United States of America. The Book of Eli is a must-watch movie and remains compelling source of inspiration for me as I battle my own giants. As Eli clings to his source of strength, God’s word, the Bible and God’s leading, I too abide in the strength of the everlasting and faithful God, Jehovah. I urge you to give this movie a serious watch, especially pondering the lessons, victory and challenges that Eli faced trekking a very chaotic and evil world. We pilgrims must always remember that the world is no only a temporary abode- journey and if we put all our trust in God, He will guide, encourage and lead us into His haven of rest at the end of our journey. As we watch the conclusion of the movie and see that Eli prevailed because of His trust in God, he re-established the law of the Lord and so began a fresh new beginning for a formerly hopeless and threatening world!

Prayer, Heavenly, gracious Father God, I ask that those reading this blog, would consider their destiny and future in light of these perilous and uncertain times. Jesus Christ told us that they days would get dark and people would grow more evil. Jesus comfort us with these words in John 16:33

These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world.

May every person’s heart be wooed and open to the calling of your precious Son, Jesus Christ…and make the decision to live for and in Him, in Jesus name I pray, Amen.;