In the 2006 Winter Olympics as Lindsey Jacobellis was nearing the finish line as the clear winner of snowboard cross event, she attempted a mid-air trick that ended in a skid that cost her the gold medal. It took many years of competing before she finally won a gold medal in 2022 as the oldest American woman to win gold at a Winter Olympics. The media focused on her mistake for many years, and she had to overcome their criticism and her own inner critic in order to persevere. She described her journey in the book she published in 2023, Unforgiving, Lessons from the Fall.
Can’t we all relate to that title? Proverbs 16: 18 says, “Pride goes before destruction, a haughty spirit before a fall.” It happened quite literally for Jacobellis. Many honored figures from the Bible, being human like us, could relate also. The apostle Peter, for one, spoke confidently of what he would NEVER do, only to do that very thing the same night! Here are two accounts from the gospels of Luke and Matthew:
“Simon, Simon, Satan has asked to sift all of you as wheat. But I have prayed for you, Simon, that your faith may not fail. And when you have turned back, strengthen your brothers.”
But he replied, “Lord, I am ready to go with you to prison and to death.”
Jesus answered, “I tell you, Peter, before the rooster crows today, you will deny three times that you know me.
Luke 22:31-34 NIVPeter replied, “Even if all fall away on account of you, I never will.”
“Truly I tell you,”Jesus answered, “this very night, before the rooster crows, you
will disown me three times.”
But Peter declared, “Even if I have to die with you, I will never disown you.” And all the other disciples said the same.
Matthew 26:33-35 NIV
I love the way Jesus said “when you have turned back.” He knew how Peter would fall, loved him anyway, and gave him instructions for afterward. Later in Luke 22, Peter is said to have “wept bitterly” after his errors. What if he had despaired and sunk into condemnation? What if he had given up? Surely Jesus’ words burned in his heart, and instead of holding onto the shame, he must have held onto the instructions to go strengthen others. In the book of Acts, Peter went on to preach on the Day of Pentecost and see three thousand converted to Christianity! Wow!
In a 2023 interview, Lindsey Jacobellis said that she didn’t even think through her attempted jump before she did it; she was enjoying herself and just let it happen. I have a feeling Peter didn’t stop and think, “Oh, Jesus warned me about this!” or he wouldn’t have denied the Lord. How many times have I lived the same way, so confident that I would NEVER, or coasting along, enjoying good times when– BAM, a fall? I’ve not read her book, but I would guess Jacobellis had some words to hold onto like Peter did that kept her going, that urged her to keep working, to do what she felt she was born to do, and find the success she sought.
Psalm 51:10 is a staple verse for starting over after a fall, “Create in me a pure heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me.” There’s not only the request for cleansing, but also for strength to press on. I want to be one who endures to the end (Matthew 24:13) and that won’t happen without the resolve to get up after I fall. Thankfully, as the Holy Spirit helps me learn to keep my pride in check, the falls will come less often!
