Do you get up again?

Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus. Phil 3:13-14

Ever been knocked down? A knock down in sailing happens when the boat is overpowered by the wind, waves or both and lies on her side dead in the water. Knock downs can happen every day in life when people get bad news, disappoint themselves or family, make a mistake at work or do something that might cause harm to another.

Knock downs happen…they are part of life, what you do with them is part of you. So what do you do when you experience a “knock down”? There was a catchy tune called “Tubthumping”, that has the line; “I get knocked down But I get up again You're never going to keep me down!” The determination to keep on trying is what helps us to gather ourselves and “get up again”.

So where does the determination come from? There are many reasons to be determined but only one main source…you. It is your choice to get up again or not, it is your choice to ask for help or to be “dead in the water”. Moving beyond the present, responding to and focusing on the call that God has given your life…that’s what helps you choose to get up again. The apostle Paul did it as have countless others. You do it too. But it certainly helps when you are encouraged and supported in your choice and in the struggle to get back up!

This past weekend, England and the USA met in an early round of the FIFA Soccer World Cup. The English goalie fumbled a shot that a “grade school-er” could have handled according to one announcer. Missing an easy shot happens, that is life. But when it happens and millions of people are watching all over the world…that’s a knock down. To read the encouraging comments of his team mates and coaches is an example of how we can help each other when the knock downs of life happen. http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/world_cup_2010/8737289.stm

Helping people get up again is what you do every day. Patients, families, associates, physicians all experience “knock downs”. It is up to them to choose to get up again. It is your privilege to help them!

Much more than medicine indeed!

Peter

Peter Bath, D.Min.
V.P Spiritual Wellness & Human Development
Shawnee Mission Medical Center

More Musings at: http://www.shawneemission.org/spiritual-wellness/