When I was 3 years old, I put on my first pair of pale pink ballet slippers. At the ripe old age of 23, I decided to hang up my pointe shoes and retire from the stage. Thus, ballet is a huge part of my life. In fact, I made my poor father sit through ten straight years of Nutcracker performances. (sorry dad!)
I will always remember the first time I was asked for an autograph. I remember the adrenaline rush from hearing the applause of the audience as I danced the steps my heart had grown to love. Their support sustained me through bleeding toes and sprained muscles.
Though my dancing days are long gone, life has continued on. Jesus Christ is my Savior, and the longer I walk with Him, the more I desire His applause alone.
I no longer need the applause of hundreds, I just long to hear His.
A picture taken of me during my last performance back in 1998.
In 2 Corinthians 4:7 the Apostle Paul called himself a fragile jar of clay. He continued with:
“We are hard pressed on every side, but not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not abandoned; struck down, but not destroyed.”
~ 2 Corinthians 4:8-9, NIV
Paul kept pain in perspective
Paul’s ministry was to preach Jesus Christ as Lord (2 Corinthians 4:5). Scripture teaches that Paul endured alot of emotional and physical pain while doing so. He was beaten, imprisoned, survived riots, and went without sleep or food for days (2 Corinthians 6:3-5). Yet he didn’t let these detour him.
Paul got back up again.
Life is messy
I do not think it is a coincidence that the Holy Spirit brings these verses to my mind whenever I go through a season of pain, rejection, or change. The last couple of weeks have been messy. My heart was crushed and my emotions were afflicted. I allowed myself to be consumed with frustration over details and plans that fell apart. Physical exhaustion crushed my joy and peace. The more I held onto the pain, the more I worshipped it.
Please understand that I am not saying we should stuff or ignore pain and always dance around with a smile on our face. Jesus felt and experienced pain. But He was not consumed or confused by it.
Jesus Christ was literally crushed…
but He also got back up on the third day…
Do you hear His applause?
If you and I are followers or disciples of Jesus Christ we are to emulate Him. Though we will experience pain in this life, we can get back up again. There is a time to grieve and to work through and to heal…but we must get back up.
This week I am “getting up” again. The Holy Spirit has renewed my heart and mind. It is time for me to move on. Will you join me? Perhaps you have been hurting, crushed, or perplexed for a while now. Let me encourage you to
GET
BACK
UP.
Your audience of One awaits…do you hear His applause?
Be encouraged today my friend. You may be struck down, but you are not destroyed. Our God will sustain us (Isaiah 41:10). Pain and hardships are not to be worshipped or given control. Jesus Christ is to be worshipped and given control. Which one are you bowing down to today? The pain or Jesus?
“We loose our way,
We get back up again
It’s never too late to get back up again,
One day you will shine again,
You may be knocked down,
but not out forever…”
~Lyrics from “Get Back Up” by TOBYMAC
“Jesus felt and experienced pain. But He was not consumed or confused by it.” So true, Tracy! He trusted the Father and we have too as well! Say hi to sunny Arizona for me!
Hi Eileen: so bummed I missed seeing you by a week! It is a tad toasty here…yes I love reading about the intimacy, submission, focus and obedience of Jesus. He was about caring out His Father’s will-the most perfect example of trust, EVER! Thank you Eileen for your comment. Bless you and know that you “shine” so brightly for Him. Keep “getting up”!
I am reminded of a quote from a very wise woman.? Corrie Ten Boom “Worrying is carrying tomorrow’s load with today’s strength- carrying two days at once. It is moving into tomorrow ahead of time. Worrying doesn’t empty tomorrow of its sorrow, it empties today of its strength.”
If you dont know about Corrie’s story, The Hiding Place, it is worth the time to read and a life changer. Thank you for the reminder to keep getting up! You are an encouragement to me Tracy.
Kelley: Wow, I LOVE the quote in your comment. Thank you for the book recommendation. I have NOT read that book yet! You encourage me as well, thank you Kelley. This is the beauty of the body of Christ…keep getting up sister. Blessings to you!
Evenin’ Sister!
My favorite line, “But He was not consumed or confused by it.” THAT is a powerful reminder for me tonight as I reflect on my day! He continues to do as He promised, to love me through thick and thin, and bring all of my life up and out for HIS GLORY! Thank you for sharing girl! p.s. I think you’re pretty! 😉 Sometimes I dance around my living room pretending, stretching, and making movements of gratitude! ~ Blessings tonight, Amy
Evenin’ Sister! I like how you put it “…all of my life up and out for His Glory!” It still blows my mind that God chooses fragile jars of clay to bring Him glory! Amazing grace, how sweet the sound! I also love that you dance around-I think we will have to add some ballet to our singing concert in July. I may have to pack the video camera–just sayin…:) Blessings to you also and thank you for your comment sister! 🙂
Bring on the JOY sister! I would love to dance with you… blessings today! ~ Amy
Such a timely word for me tonight. Please pray that I desire only His applause and continue to follow His lead.
So glad to have you back on the blogosphere!
Dawn-thank you for your honesty here. I will pray for you, and trust me, I can relate. God knows, He sees, and I know prayer changes us for His glory. I have also missed you all and am so blessed to be back. May the name of Jesus be glorified!
Tomorrow is a new day. Get back up my friend!
It’s amazing the timing your devotions have in my life. This is so fitting right now; and love the part about dancing. Your writings are a true source of inspiration. Thank-you my friend.
Tracy, Thank you so much my dear friend. Your words are always inspiring to me.
Kristin-thank you as well. Your comments encourage my heart. Keep getting back up…
Annie-thank you for your comment, you encourage me right back. Can you believe it has been almost 25 years since we put on our first pair of pointe shoes together? WOW! We are getting up “there” my friend. I am so thankful God has reconnected us again and that He uses One Degree to encourage your heart. Blessings Annie. Keep getting back up…
Yay! Blessings to you as well Amy 🙂
Tracy, this message popped into my inbox exactly when I needed it. God is so awesome and His timing is so perfect. I had just found out that I had a serious infection that could affect me in ways that, well, I won’t go into right now, but could have long-term effects. And then I see the subject – Get Back Up! It was exactly the message I needed – through the pain and anxiety of dealing with an infection (adding the numerable antibiotics I am alergic to in the mix) – I Got Back Up! Thank you Tracy for the wonderful message you allowed God to deliver to me through you. My heart smiles – even as I wipe away the tears. God provided a solution today and tomorrow my amazing team of doctors will move forward to help eliminate the infection. And my Great Physician is holding my hand as a Get Back Up!
Jo
Jo-WOW! God just knows doesn’t He? Thank you God for the way you encouraged my sister Jo at just the right time!
Please know that I am so sorry to hear your news. I am praying Jo. Our Jehova-Rapha (God, our Healer) IS indeed holding your hand. And even if more tears need to come Jo, it is ok too. God can wipe those away as you fight/get back up. I appreciate your comment and for inspiring us all with your testimony! Blessings to you, Jo.
Tracy, I am so sorry we didn’t get to see one another this trip. A very good friend of a very good friend, (follow), lost her house to the fire in Colorado Springs two days ago, as she and her family were coming back from vacation! They had no way to get anything out. My heart aches so much for her, because while we know material things do just burn up, she had special art of hers and her daughter and hand made quilts all around her home. Yet, as sad as this is, it makes me realize the bulk of my energy needs to be showing Christ to all those around me. Tall order. I pray, and would ask you all as well, to pray for Joan and her family to “grt back up” by the grace of God, in the Person of Jesus. Have a great rest of your trip and keep on doin the thing, Tracy, as you do so well. Love to you and your family, Adele
Adele: I know, I looked for you too:(. We will return, no worries! I am so sorry to read about Joan and her family. We have family that evacuated too. It is just so sad. Will continue to pray that God will comfort and encourage this precious family as the rebuild their lives. You are also right that we have been given a tall order-that is why we need the Holy Spirit’s help!
Keep getting back up my friend, and I thank you for your comment. Our love to you as well Adele 🙂