Let Go and Jump!

Let Go and Jump!

One time, John and I won a trip to some resort in Arizona.  While there, we had the opportunity to participate in a leadership activity…otherwise known as some sort of ropes course.  When I found out that part of that “opportunity” included climbing to the top of a pole….and while strapped to some type of safety cord……I would be asked to jump out and off the pole in order to latch onto another rope and swing to another source of firm footing…….

As you might imagine, when I realized what I was going to be asked to do, I conveniently found something else to fill my day and my time.  John, however, went with the group and participated.  He came back totally pumped and exhilarated and almost made me feel like I’d missed something.  Almost!

Today I found myself thinking back to that missed opportunity and wondering once again what it would have felt like if I had pushed myself beyond my comfort zone…if I had trusted the instructors….if I hadn’t been afraid of falling…..if I hadn’t been afraid of letting go of one thing in order to gain another.  What would it have felt like to “free fall”?

Do you think God sometimes asks us to experience the feeling of “free falling”?  Does He ask us to jump off and out on sheer faith that we will somehow make it to the other side safely?  Do you think He expects us to jump even when we can’t feel his presence right beside us ready to catch us?  Every once in a while, I get the feeling I’m supposed to leap out….and yet, when I glance down, I see my knuckles white with terror and anxiety, trying to keep myself from falling much less jumping.  I see my hands and arms wrapped tightly around what I DO know and not being willing to experience the UNKNOWN.

Funny…I’ve always thought of myself as an adventurous sort of girl.  One that is willing to take risks…..but I guess that is true only to a certain extent.  Sometimes fear seems to grip my heart…..fear of the unknown takes over and keeps me from experiencing all that God has for me.  Oh ME of little faith! Yet, it is so much more comfortable and even COMFORTING to stay with what I know I can count on and the things I’ve grown to expect.

However, I find myself once again feeling like I’m being asked to jump.  To let go…and Jump!  To free fall with no expectations of the future but a trust in the one who holds the future.   Wow…that takes courage……!!!!!  Anyone out there feeling the same way?

Faith AND Courage,

Lori