Moving Forward

Isaac Newton's first law of motion tells us that a body at rest will remain at rest until acted upon by an external unbalanced force of energy. Similarly, a body in motion will remain in motion until acted upon by an external unbalanced force of energy. It needs to be an unbalanced force of energy because if there is an equal force on both sides of a body the effect will be that they cancel each other out. In other words, in order for something to start or stop moving, there has to be a greater force that is pushing or resisting on the body than whatever is keeping it in place or moving it at any given time. This property is called inertia.

If you've lived long enough, you've probably had things pop up in life that have seemingly brought everything to a sudden halt. You're walking along the path dodging the potholes here and there and then out of nowhere you smack against a brick wall. The strength of this obstacle hitting you, even though you were in motion, causes you to stop heading in the direction in which you were formerly headed. It was a mighty big thing that you ran into, and it may have even pushed you backwards a bit after you hit it. And now, it seems impossible to get going again.

But the first law of motion says that in the same way that an outside force stopped you in your tracks, you can also start to move forward.  In other words, it took a mighty force to stop us, but there is a mightier force that can get us started again.

When we have a force behind us moving us along the path again, it gives us the strength we need to keep moving forward. And not just any force, but a greater force than anything that is keeping us still, like fear, anxiety, depression, or a lack of confidence. That great force that pushes us to the finish line is the God who gives us hope. He is our source of strength

He gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak. Even youths grow tired and weary, and young men stumble and fall; but those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint. - Isaiah 40:29-31

It's hard to get through those times in life that smack us in the face, and it's normal to not feel like getting back up again. But dont think you have to do it on your own. Get your friends and family behind you. Get into your prayer life and ask for help. We are a people made to depend on each other and on God. That's how we move forward.

God practically promises that at some point on our life's path we will meet a force that could disable us. But He very clearly promises that He is %100 behind us when we walk with Him, keeping us from falling, drowning or burning up when these forces come against us.

But now, this is what the Lord says— he who created you, Jacob, he who formed you, Israel: “Do not fear, for I have redeemed you; I have summoned you by name; you are mine. When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and when you pass through the rivers, they will not sweep over you. When you walk through the fire, you will not be burned; the flames will not set you ablaze. - Isaiah 43:1-2

So don't get discouraged when you hit a wall, or go through the waters, or find a fire in your path. Get back up and let the God of Power get you going again. Reach out. Keep reaching out. And when you don't feel like it, when you're tired and weak, know that it does take hard work. The force the moves you has to be stronger than the force that is keeping you still. We can't do it in our own strength, but God can lift you up and keep you going If you hand the controls over. If you can get yourself up, God can help you move.