Have you ever been in a wrestling match with a sibling or maybe even an adult and they said, “Say Uncle!”? I have, and the whole thought behind say Uncle is you are giving up. The other person has pinned you down and you can’t get out or up from the pin or they are tickling you so much that you’re about to pee on yourself. Oh yes, fond childhood memories of being held to the ground so someone could tickle me until I couldn't breathe. But as we get older we don’t play that game and life is the one pinning us down. Have you ever felt like life was giving you so much you couldn't get up and instead of laughing you were crying? Wave after wave of unexpected circumstances and misery just kept hitting and knocking you back to the ground. You can’t say “Uncle” and you certainly don’t have the strength to stand much less get on your knees. It’s not fun being there and you have two choices…1) curl up in the fetal position or 2) keep fighting against the waves.
Both positions have their good and bad points. Most people are built with one or the other instinct and that is the position they go to first. I’m not here to knock anyone who chooses position one or position two. What I hope to do is shed light on the good in both positions and allow you to assess for yourself what your instinct is. If you are in one of the two positions right now, why are you there and is it time to change positions?
Most people see the fetal position as weak. I see the fetal position as protecting yourself. Why or how is that? Think about it…close your eyes and picture yourself in the fetal position or go ahead and get in that position..just don’t fall asleep. :) You have your head tucked into your chest and your arms are covering your face. Your legs are tucked into your stomach. Therefore, you are protecting your vital organs and your beautiful face from damage. When life’s struggles start hitting us especially the ones that knock you to your knees (i.e. death) you want to curl up. You choose to not let the outside world in and in that sense you are protecting yourself from furthering the hurt you already have. What happens if something else just as traumatic happens when you are still reeling from the first wave of hurt? What do you do? Do you stay in the fetal position, get to your knees, stand? Think on that while I move on to position two.
When life hurls the hurts of this world at you do you stand and face it head on? Some see this as strong while others see this as stubborn or maybe just calloused. The first time you are hit with a hurt you are out to prove you can keep on; you can keep going with the best of them. Then another wave of hurt attacks and this time you throw your arm up to block it, like a boxer protecting his face from a punch heading right between his eyes. The problem is if you stay there too long, your arm blocks your vision. If you are quick and block the force of the hurt and return to standing how many more times can you handle it before you are knocked to your knees?
Both positions are meant to protect your from harm, but did you notice both positions has you on your knees at some point and maybe even more than once. Do you say Uncle to life when it has you down and you can’t get back up? Do you say Uncle to life when the blows keep coming and you’re tired from blocking all the blows? Do you think it’s just mere coincidence that you have an opportunity on your way down to be “on your knees” and on your way back up to be “on your knees”? You have a chance in the midst of your storm; while being knocked down, to be on your knees and instead of saying Uncle you have the chance to cry out JESUS. Then again on your way back up from the storm, either you are still in the storm fighting your way out or praising the one who got you through it, you have another chance to cry out JESUS. “So we called out to Yahweh, the God of our fathers, and the Lord heard our cry and saw our misery, hardship, and oppression.”(Deuteronomy 26:7 HCSB) God hasn't changed since the Old Testament times, when His people cry out He hears.
From the time the first wave hits you and you take a position until you are able to see the light, God is with you and hears and see the tears. The hurt may cause your world to turn pitch black and no words can come to your mouth. It is OK, God is still with you. The worst place I was in I didn't even realize I was there until I started coming out of it, but God was there the whole time. His light does break through the dark. It may take a long time, it may be one ray of light at a time, but the darkness does eventually fade. You may be completely broken before that light, God’s light, is able to penetrate the dark. That too is OK; you will come out of the dark into His light and be a new person. You will see His glory. “Consider it a great joy, my brothers, whenever you experience various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces endurance. But endurance must do its complete work, so that you may be mature and complete, lacking nothing.” (James 1:2-4 HCSB) The hard part is praising God during the storm, hitting your knees in your dark time and praising God. Just remember no matter your storm or how long it takes God understands and doesn't like to see you hurting. “Weeping may last for the night, but a shout of joy comes in the morning.” (Psalm 30:5b NASB) No matter your reaction, your position when life tries to knock you down, don’t say Uncle…Just Say JESUS! Until next time, “May Yahweh bless you and protect you.” (Numbers 6:24, HCSB)
I love music. It reaches my soul and talks to me and allows me to understand or express my feelings when nothing else seems to work. I hope you enjoy this song by 7eventh Time Down: Just Say Jesus:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=84LSLk3hfD4
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