3-7-21 Bounce Back
Quote: “You better watch those people that bounce back from everything that was meant to destroy them. Those are God’s people and they’re not to be played with.”
When I read this quote on someone’s social media post, my first thought was…. daaaaaang! Oh snap.
I love a good comeback story. Everyone does! The ones where people have all the cards stacked against them and they come up for air, fighting, with all they’ve got, and then conquer their trials with the upmost of character. You can feel yourself rooting for them. You’re in awe of their resilience and never-give-up attitude.
Did you know there is a whole chapter of the Bible dedicated to some of the heroes of the Christian faith? Some people call Hebrews chapter 11 the “Bible Hall of Fame.” The writer of the book of Hebrews calls out examples from our ancestors that are true heroes of the faith. The chapter starts out in verse 1 by saying, “Faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see. This is what the ancients were commended for.” Just listen to a few of these heroes’ stories:
By faith Noah built a ginormous boat in the middle of no where, gathered up animals two-by-two, and was mocked for his obedience (the movie “Evan Almighty” was a such a good portrayal of this!). By faith Sarah was old yet wanted a baby so badly and was eventually blessed with her son Isaac, who would go onto have a huge impact on our history. By faith Abraham went to sacrifice his son and at the last minute was told his faith was enough and he’d passed the test put before him so that his son could be spared. By faith Moses was put in a basket in the river but discovered by a member of the royal household to set him up for a position of authority over the people. By faith the prostitute Rahab welcomed spies into her home and was herself saved from death (yes, a prostitute has a place in history!). These stories leave us in awe. These people were not to be played with. They are the real deal!
But did you know that YOU are actually on that list? Yes YOU! The writer says in verse 2, “By faith we understand that the universe was formed at God’s command…” Yeah, that WE in that verse is YOU! You weren’t there when the universe was created yet you see the result of God’s hand in everything we have. You give credit to a higher power because you know there is no possible way this life is all chance and coincidence. You believe in a faith that you cannot touch. That makes you a hero! A survivor…full to the brim with God-fidence (that sounds so much better than plain old confidence!).
Because of your faith, you know you’ve got purpose in this life and it’s to bounce back from any adversity that is thrown your way. Don’t you let those obstacles get in your way. Look at them as challenges to make you stronger. You’ve got this. You are a force to be reckoned with. You’ve got a message. You’ve got a story. You’ve been given the ability to see beauty in the ashes. Let them see that faith of yours shine like the beam from a lighthouse, right in the middle of a storm. Show them you’re not going down without a fight.
Bounce baby bounce.
