Have you ever felt God nudging you to do something, but felt scared to jump and take the first step?
Maybe you didn’t want to leave the comfort and familiarity your life has become – or maybe the unknown scared you.
It’s like when you are rock climbing and must repel down, but you can’t seem to let go and jump.
A few days ago, we took our kids to an adventure park with ropes courses, zip lines and climbing walls. Our son had no fear, taking on every climbing wall and even the high ropes course. Our daughter though was terrified, even scared of the harness- the very thing that would protect her from falling.
After watching her brother and getting used to her environment, she decided to try again.
As she stepped into the harness I said to her with encouragement, “See, the harness will keep you safe, it won’t let you fall.”
With that, she reached up to the first climbing hold and pulled herself up. She slowly kept going, still a little unsure if she was safe.
“You are being so brave!” I yelled up to her.
She made it halfway and realized the only way down was to jump. “I’m scared!” she said fearfully.
My husband moved closer and stood underneath her, “If you jump, I’ll catch you!” He called up to her.
So we proceeded to count, “1.2.3!”
She didn’t jump.
As this scenario played out, I couldn’t help but think this is like our trust in God. When he calls you to something, do you jump? Or do you hang on for dear life?
Philippians 3:12 I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me.
You see, it’s not our grip that keeps us safe, it’s the POWER of Jesus’ hold on us. It doesn’t matter how tight you are holding, eventually you will get tired. But just like the harness that is meant to keep you from falling, Jesus keeps you from falling. If you would open up your hands and let go of whatever is keeping you back, that opens up the God of the universe to move in your life.
Whatever your hands are so tightly griping- the past, false security, fear, control, comfort – it will be hard for you to grow and step into the calling God has placed in your life.
“Papa is right below you, he will not let you fall!” I yelled back up at her. “You can do it!”
We counted one more time and this time she let go, laughing as she came down.
She trusted her Father.
“That was fun!” She exclaimed, excitement in her eyes. “I want to do it again, and this time I’ll go to the top!”
This week, remember, you are held by the loving grip of God.
