"stumbling forward"

If you have been around me in Christian circles lately, you have heard me say that I am stumbling forward.  From my perspective this is a true statement.  Honestly it has been a blessed but difficult season for me, and managing priorities has been challenging.  Choosing the best and Godliest things from among many many right things has been challenging.  I have too many times sacrificed or even compromised in areas most important for the demands of urgent immediate crises. This has left me spiritually weary and emotionally weary, and has lead to all this "stumbling forward".  

Even very recently, I have stepped down from something, and not very gracefully either. This time the stepping down was because I was making (or rather being) a mess at something as the result of not managing other important things well.  Another stumble, with a painful landing.   Still in the midst of this season, the love of God compels me forward (to keep pursuing Him, to keep getting back up and pressing on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me) ... stumbling forward. 

As I read Jude this morning I am both convicted and encouraged.  Here in the second half of this letter, Jude urges those of us called of God to "contend for the faith that was once for all entrusted to God’s holy people" (Jude 1:3 NIV), to be strengthened and with endurance continue the pursuit of holiness in honor of God and for His glory.  

He states simply several things to do in this pursuit and then makes an incredible statement that shot right through my heart. A statement I have read and quoted many times before but this time it perfectly hits its mark in my mind and heart.  

[God] is able to keep you from stumbling... 

So this week as I kind of feel like I find myself fully face planted in the dirt from another stumble, getting back up to dust myself off and press on, I hear God encouraging me through this scripture.  

In my spirit I hear Him say to me:

Stop talking about stumbling forward. Stop worrying about this stumble or if/when/how the next one will be.  I am ABLE to keep you from stumbling. I AM the one who makes you holy and keeps you holy and righteousness.  Take my hand; take my yoke; learn from me; trust me. I AM the strength for your feeble knees, I AM the one who teaches how to make straight paths.  I AM what you need.  I AM with you and for you. My purpose is to "present you [before and in my] glorious presence without fault and with great joy"

I hear my Lord Savior, Father and Helper say to me, I AM ABLE. 

I will trust Him and lean on Him (build up my faith). I will be empowered by the Holy Spirit in my prayer life.  I will keep my mind and heart focused on God's Love and keep my choices motivated by that Love.  I will patiently and expectantly wait for God's mercy that brings life and eternal good. I will show mercy to others, mercy that is holy (not giving allowance for sin but rather love motivated by mercy that doesn't condemn but rather lifts others up and out) in the same way the love and grace of God lifts me up and out of my mess.  (Jude 1:20-23 NIV) 

[God] is able to keep you from stumbling

Hallelujah! Amen! 

"To him who is able to keep you from stumbling and to present you before his glorious presence without fault and with great joy— to the only God our Savior be glory, majesty, power and authority, through Jesus Christ our Lord, before all ages, now and forevermore! Amen." 

Jude 1:24-25 (NIV)