Overcome
Life has been such a series of ups and downs the last few years that I felt like I have been riding on a pendulum. Swing up, swing down, up up, down down. The thing about me is the ups are there (I can list them), yet the downs feel more real, more memorable, just more. The downs have knocked me down. And as I’ve sat on my bottom, knocked down by life, I’ve looked up and felt a little anger, a little confusion, and a lot scared. I’d rather stay seated than get back up, especially since I’m probably going to end up here again. You too?
Life has been such a series of ups and downs the last few years that I felt like I have been riding on a pendulum. Swing up, swing down, up up, down down. The thing about me is the ups are there (I can list them), yet the downs feel more real, more memorable, just more. The downs have knocked me down. And as I’ve sat on my bottom, knocked down by life, I’ve looked up and felt a little anger, a little confusion, and a lot scared. I’d rather stay seated than get back up, especially since I’m probably going to end up here again. You too?
My husband reminded me of John 16:33 yesterday: "I have told you these things so that in me you may have peace. In the
world you have trouble and suffering, but take courage – I have conquered the world.” Trouble. It’s gonna be there. However, you can have courage. God has overcome.
Oh yes, overcome. Kick em, God. Get em. Get all those badies that pushed me down here. Overcome all those who knocked me down. Wait? That’s not what we’re talking about. Yeah, I figured as much.
Overcome. He took on what was not His, sin, to give us what was not ours, salvation. God overcame the world by being kicked, by being knocked down. The weight of that right there stops my breath. He chose the trouble for me. Me?
So, I sit here a bit knocked around. I look up. I take a deep breath. I begin to see. I begin to find that peace and courage.
When you have trouble, you can have peace because when you get knocked down, you’re not alone. He’s there with you. And look around. I can guarantee there are others of us sitting on the ground as well. Most likely you’ll see me there. Feel free to stop by and say “hi” on your way back on your feet.
Jamie Lath
Jamie Lath is a middle child that has no baby picture without her older sister in it. Even with only two siblings, she grew up with family everywhere because all her aunts, uncles, grandparents, cousins, and even second-cousins lived in her hometown. With forty people at her birthday parties (all relatives) and her sister in every picture, she knows a little about community, and it's everlastingness. This has brought most of her ministry focus into meeting people where they're at, listening closely (especially to those who feel voiceless and like no one is listening), and helping them find God's voice in the mix. Jamie graduated with a BA in Communication Studies from the University of North Texas. Following a year of teaching English in China, she returned to the states to attend Dallas Theological Seminary. She received a Th.M. with a focus on Media Arts. Her background in the arts (ballet, writing, and acting) has given her an understanding of how creative expressions can give people a safe place to begin exploring how to use their voice and how it can touch hearts to hear God’s voice. She also blogs at I just called to say "Olive Juice."
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