﻿ God Will Hold You Up

God Will Hold You Up Holley Gerth Today’s Truth Now to him who is able to protect you from stumbling and to make you stand in the presence of his glory, without blemish and with great joy, to the only God our Savior, through Jesus Christ our Lord, be glory, majesty, power, and authority before all time, now and forever (Jude 1:24-25 CSB). Friend to Friend When my granddaughter Eula was learning to walk, her steps were wobbly. She was all exuberance and no coordination. At the time, the laundry room was irresistibly enticing (something I knew she would outgrow). I followed her into it one day and she became fascinated by a pair of rain boots. They were several sizes too big but she slid them onto her feet. She also insisted on wearing her bright pink coat. As she tromped around in her borrowed boots, I walked behind her holding the coat’s hood. When she stumbled, she didn’t hit the ground because I held her up. She carried on, not realizing someone was watching out for her, making sure she didn't fall. Walking with my granddaughter made me think of our God, who loves us. Every day we put on boots too large for us and go where we’re called. We walk down the hall to our teenager’s room, take a deep breath, and choose patience one more time. We show up at the office and work with integrity even when it would be easier to cut corners. We sit beside a friend while she has another chemotherapy session. It’s human to feel unsteady in hard situations. It can seem we’re stumbling, that we don’t have what it takes to handle whatever we’re walking through today. We feel insecure and out of balance. Maybe it’s safer to stand still, not take chances, avoid all these feelings of inadequacy. But fear is always a liar. We have a God who promises that He is with us, seeing us through, making sure we get where He’s asking us to go. There is nothing too difficult for us because there is nothing too difficult for Him. Jude 1:24-25 says, “Now to him who is able to protect you from stumbling and to make you stand in the presence of his glory, without blemish and with great joy, to the only God our Savior, through Jesus Christ our Lord, be glory, majesty, power, and authority before all time, now and forever.” If there’s something overwhelming in your life as you start a new year, rest assured the hand of God in your life is more than enough to hold you up. As writer and artist Jennifer Ueckert said, “The time is now. Step ahead in faith. He is waiting for you. Start where you are, and God will meet you right there.” He will not let you down. He will not let you go. Even when you don’t feel it, He’s there with you. Eula turned and smiled at me, then carried on, one awkward, delightful footstep at a time. I don’t love her because she never stumbles, I love her because she’s mine. Let’s Pray Dear God, we’re so grateful You hold us up. Steady us as we start a new year. Give us the strength and bravery we need for the next step You’re asking us to take. You are with and for us always. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.