I haven’t been dragging my feet on life decisions, I have just been reluctant to take back-lash or make pretexts.

Recently someone made a decision for me that just pushed me off the cliff and it was either to pull that chord or plummet with the hopes of landing well. Daughter number two says, “You know, Mom, there is a way to survive a free fall.” Well, I hope she’s right because I am free-falling today.

We have been finishing up a study on James. Yesterday we hit the 5th chapter and my friend leans over and whispers to me, “this is where James says, let your yes be your yes, and your no be your no.”

If I could live through a 1960s superhero sitcom, big bubbles of words whacking me in the head and across the face would have appeared right there in the church sanctuary.

Free-falling for lack of saying yes or no out loud, a torn heart, hurt feelings, snarky attitudes from people you trusted, lies, lack of discipline, and BAM, maybe I will survive when I hit the ground.

How do I survive when some of these little darts that are free-falling with me want to light me on fire or stab me in the heart because they have a superiority complex? I need to remember God’s Word and that no matter what, He never changes. God is always steady hence His Word will never falter.

And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose. Romans 8:28

I pondered all of this while I scrubbed the leftover dishes this morning. They were somehow missed last night and sat in the sink overnight. Normally I would be irritated about this but found it therapeutic to scrub my coffee mug all the way clean, shine the sink and wipe all the counters free of dust and crumbs.

The Lord gave me solace in caring for my home this morning and in thinking through His goodness instead of fussing about the vexations that we have been facing these days. Maybe He knew that I would resort back to my complaints and my thoughts on how to problem-solve each element of each of my family members’ plight in our joint circumstances as well as our individual quandaries.

Blessed is the man who remains steadfast under trial, for when he has stood the test he will receive the crown of life, which God has promised to those who love him. James 1:12

Yes, Lord, that is the reminder placed on my heart and whispered by my friend. Yes, Lord, that is the revival that this Christian’s soul needs to plow forward past the doubts and hurt of human sin. Yes, Lord, it is the truth that I need to hold on to through my depression and circumstances.

So, therefore…

But above all, my brothers, do not swear, either by heaven or by earth or by any other oath, but let your “yes” be yes and your “no” be no, so that you may not fall under condemnation. James 5: 12

In my own rare action, I need to stand up and just say my answer, stand firm in my faith and feelings that are dictated by my faith, and never free-fall again because I am forced off that cliff. If I am going to dive, it is because the Lord and I are going together, and not because I dragged my feet or because someone of bold arrogance pushed me off.

We are looking for a way… in or out, up or down, but the only true way is the Lord’s. There is a huge need to stop skirting around His very clear direction because we are too fearful of that backlash or a need to make excuses.

Thank you, Lord, for the conviction that Your Word gives a weary heart. We are not a perfect people and our actions may take a few moments to catch up with this conviction, but You know our hearts, and You hold us close in these trying times. Thank you for writing your love letters across our hearts so that your truth can radiate through us when we are propelled into action. Amen.

More from this short series found at this link.