Now get up and stand on your feet. I have appeared to you to appoint you as a servant and as a witness of what you have seen and will see of me. – Acts 26:16
You’re in the pit and you see a ladder – what do you do? Do you walk around the ladder, circling it and wondering what you do with it? Do you wish it would disappear because you like it where you are? Or do you grab onto it and start climbing up?
Most of us at one time or another find ourselves in a pit. Whether we are there by own choice or other people’s choices doesn’t matter – we are there. We keep looking up wanting a way out and when one comes, what do we do?
Some people decide that they like it where they are. They keep avoiding the ladder because they want to keep playing the victim. Playing the victim and the “woe is me” card gets them sympathy and attention from others which may makes them feel better. They begin to depend on others to get them out and completely ignore the ladder.
Others have tried to get out, but the missiles tossed at them, and the slippery rungs keep them on the ground. Giving up seems to be much better than constantly getting hurt or discouraged every time they try to get out. They know the ladder is there but can’t be bothered giving it one more go.
Then there are those who grab onto that ladder and start climbing determined to get out. No matter what life throws at them or the setbacks they have, they keep going. Their eyes are focussed and looking at the top of the pit. They know that one day they will make it out.
The ladder is not put there by our friends, family or others who may wish to help us. It is put there by God. He is giving you a way out and it will stay there until you start climbing it. Even if you ignore it and look at others to get you out, it will still be there. God wants us to get ourselves out of our pit and use the strength He gave us to do so.
Until you decide that you want to get out of the pit, anything said or done to help you won’t help. You may be hearing and seeing what people are doing to help you but deep down you’ve made a subconscious decision to stay in the pit. This decision makes God sad as he knows that you weren’t meant to live a life of misery but one of victory. No-one or no thing is keeping you down in the pit but yourself.
It is true that it will take courage to grab onto that ladder and start climbing up. You will get things thrown at and you will suffer setbacks because the devil wants you to stay down in that pit. However, you can rest assured that God is there at the top waiting for you. Keep your eyes on Him and you will get up and get out.
Originally published April 2019