Jump

momdropZip-lining was exhilarating, but not scary. I knew to trust the harness as I stepped off platforms 50 feet in the air and zipped up to 50 mph across 800 feet of cable. I was expecting to be a little out of my comfort zone, but I wasn’t until I came to the final element. We were to jump off the 50 foot platform attached to a small machine that would catch and lower us to safely to the ground.

I sat on the edge listening to the guide count to three. On three, I was to jump. We were told he would count to three up to twice. If we didn’t jump the second time, the guide was going to push us off. It was the only way down. We would free fall for only a second or two and the small machine would catch us and lower us to the ground. My heart was pounding for the first time on the experience. I was determined to jump on the first count of three. It would have been easier to trust a human than a small machine, so I kept telling myself, “Just do it.”

Jesus calls us to jump in our faith over and over again as we journey with Him. The first is when we accept Him into our lives. There have been many times though my life where I have had to jump: in education, vocation, marriage and more.  The hardest for me over the years has been sharing my faith with others as I have been charged.

Jesus, undeterred, went right ahead and gave his charge: “God authorized and commanded me to commission you: Go out and train everyone you meet, far and near, in this way of life, marking them by baptism in the threefold name: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. Then instruct them in the practice of all I have commanded you. I’ll be with you as you do this, day after day after day, right up to the end of the age.” (Matthew 28:19-20 MSG).
I want everyone to know Jesus loves them unconditionally, warts and all. He loves us in our imperfection. He loves us in our stupidity. He loves us when we think we don’t need Him. Then arrives the tension.
I never want anyone to feel pressured or faulty if they don’t see Christ the way I do. I don’t want to impose my beliefs on others. I simple want to open the door for love and grace. This often means I often keep my mouth shut when I should be sharing. It is a jump that is hard to take.
I made the jump in the first count of three. I will remember this the next time God nudges me to share my faith. How about you? Is God nudging you to jump? Is it time to trust even when it is scary?
How are you be challenged to jump? How will you respond? Share your experience here and breathe life and bring hope to others.

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