Casandra Martin

I took a tumble. I’ll be okay, but I am stiff, sore, and a little embarrassed. Most of the time, we aren’t aware of gravity’s power, but every once and a while its truth is reaffirmed in bruised knees and bruised egos.

Fast forward one week. It was time for me to go back to the place where I fell. I was nervous. Everybody had seen me fall. What would they say? What did they think? Still sore, I wasn’t sure I could do what was required. I prayed for courage, stepped in the door, and learned a powerful lesson about getting back up.

The people who greeted me did so with grace. There was no drama about last week’s excitement. They didn’t dismiss it either. They accepted me where I was, and together we worked to take the next step forward.

My Jesus Resolution today is to get back up. We all fall. It is one of life’s realities. Getting back up means drawing a new starting line. Where you are doesn’t matter as much as which direction you are going. We can spend our time being upset that we fell, or we can get back up, hold Jesus’ hand, and take the next step.

This has been a learning week, a growing week, a week to pause and measure the size of the heart that I want to have. There are lots of things that come to mind when we talk about following Jesus, but one of the most important, yet least mentioned, is the willingness to be a learner.

“Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.” – Matthew 11:29

Here are ten things I want to dedicate myself to learning from the Teacher.

1. How to have a more generous spirit

2. How to be more courageous in the face of fear and uncertainty

3. How to be more thankful in all circumstances

4. How to love more and judge less

5. How to be slower to sin and quicker to repent

6. How to be more aware of God’s presence

7. How to be more bold in proclaiming His name

8. How to laugh more, worry less, and rejoice always

9. How to recognize the extraordinary in the ordinary

10. How better to live a cross-shaped, resurrection-empowered life

My Jesus Resolution today is to be a learner. Being a life-long learner isn’t something that happens by accident. It requires the deliberate choice to listen, follow, and be transformed by the wisdom of God. It demands humility, wonder, and a heart that is willing to be shaped. The people that I know that are the best teachers are, first of all, wonderful learners. Learning isn’t about finding the obscure fact or studying to be a know-it-all. Learning is about becoming more like Jesus and inviting others to join you on the journey.