“Unless a kernel of wheat falls to the ground and dies, it remains only a single seed. But if it
dies, it produces many seeds.” - John 12:24 NIV

Questions
What is your natural reaction when you see someone fall down?
Have you ever stumbled in public? How did that feel to be seen that way?
What’s unsettling about having weaknesses?

Meditation
In this image we see the branch and the leaves falling off of that branch. The branch is connected to something larger - the tree, the roots, a whole network. And yet there are aspects of the tree that seasonally fall. Detach. Die. Decay. There is nothing wrong with that
tree. There are just seasons in the life of a tree that involve descent. We literally call it “Fall”.

While it is not explicitly stated in the Scriptures that Jesus fell, traditional accounts of the journey to the crucifixion include this event. It is derived that this is the reason for the next station (Simon carrying the cross for Jesus). As we imagine the suffering Jesus must have experienced on the journey to his death, it’s not difficult to imagine a man who has been severely beaten stumbling as he carries the instrument of his own demise.

Jesus partook in falling down.

Gravity is nothing you are in charge of. When you stumble... or the agencies in place to keep you upright go askew... a power greater than your will pulls you to the ground. It’s not about your lack of faith. It’s about understanding the fragile and weak parts about your life.

Other powers greater than your will power:

Your cardiovascular system.
Weather patterns.
Tectonic plates.
Comets.
Your need to breath.
Your need for water.

Your need to give Love to another.
Your need to receive Love from another.
Wonder.
Black Holes.
Accidents.
Randomness.
Bullets.
Fire.
Nuclear fallout.
Fear.
Sadness.
Joy.
Excitement.
Disgust.
Anger.
Your body.
Your existence.

When the agencies that keep us upright go askew, we fall. All of us. Even Jesus.

Is there an area where you have stumbled recently?