Bel Kaufman’s novel Up the Down Staircase spent more than a year on the New York Times Best Seller’s List in the late 1960’s. This success evolved into a movie and a play, the first one I ever saw in person. However, as I try to bob and weave my way through life, I often find myself going up the down staircase.
Humility and pride serve as ebb and flow, bringing me back to earth from past successes while lifting me up when I fall. On the days I leave my house thinking, “now I’ve got it all figured out,” trials flare up, knocking me off my feet. Meanwhile, on the days I don’t want to get out of bed, with little strength to tarry on, a mysterious force carries me to places I never thought I could go.
From a spiritual perspective, 1 Corinthians 10:1-13 illustrates what its like to go up the down staircase. Ignorance causes individuals to repeat past failures daily. A surely that won’t happen to me mentality breeds overconfidence, leading souls toward a moment of decision, 1 Corinthians 10:12. In the end, there are only 2 logical choices: trusting God or yourself. As you contemplate your current footing, may you place your feet on the solid rock of Christ, Psalm 30:1-3. By doing so you will avoid of pain of going up the down staircase.
by Jay Mankus
