And there we were in an exciting game of Keep Away – boys against the girls. Non-athletic me was thrilled to finally get possession of the ball. I sharply pivoted to begin my sprint away from the onslaught of boys. However, I had not checked my bearings and promptly smacked into a steel volleyball pole. I literally bounced off the pole, face first. I was down for the count.
Both eyes were black and blue. But no CAT scan or x-rays for me! I had to lay down on the school couch until the end of the day and then be driven home by Mom. An intense headache. My bruising caused me to resemble a raccoon. Lesson learned: always look before your leap, carefully consider the cost, and never leap (or so I thought).
BOUNCING AGAINST THE POLES
Is this the lesson, to never leap? Often in my life I “bounce against the poles.” I take risks into the unknown, at the prompting of God. Yes, I carefully count the cost, but God reminds me “nothing ventured, nothing gained.” I pray, God continually niggles away at my doubts, and then He begins to hound me. Eventually, I leap….
OTHER LEAPERS
The Bible has many “leapers.” What if Noah looked at the plans and decided he would not build the ark? Or, how about Rahab? What if instead of putting out the scarlet cord, she and her family hid in a closet? And then we have Peter. What if he just stayed in the boat, scared out of his wits? He would have never walked on the sea, sunk, and been rescued by Christ.
LEAPING TEACHES TRUST
Leaping teaches trust. Looking back at my own life just over the years, what if I always played it safe and never took the leap? There would be a multitude of missed joys. Due to leaping, here’s a list of a few of my scary ventures that brought great delight:
- Forming a 70-voice choir which gave benefit performances for a pregnancy center.
- Became a Christian Life Coach (could write a book on that difficult challenge)
- Started to teach and encourage writers who needed to find their voice.
- Work with trauma survivors using writing therapy.
- Consistently remind people Who God is, even when they would prefer I shut up.
GOD IS GOOD
Genuine faith involves abandoning all human reliance on self-efforts and placing total dependence upon God’s character, His actions, and His promises, as revealed in His Word. God is good. (GotQuestions.org) While writing this, I quit my job recently (again at God’s hounding) and began a career as a substitute teach. Am I terrified? Yes! Will God be with me every moment of this new venture? A double yes!!!!!
Leaping is scary. But, oh the joy of jumping into the Savior’s arms!
Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others, as faithful stewards of God’s grace in its various forms. If anyone speaks, they should do so as one who speaks the very words of God. If anyone serves, they should do so with the strength God provides, so that in all things God may be praised through Jesus Christ. To him be the glory and the power for ever and ever. Amen. (I Peter 4:10-11)
