The BIG Blue Slide
Today
I went down the BIG Blue slide. It is the tallest and fastest slide at the
playground. I went down the slide because I had been following my 4-year-old
niece around and I didn't feel much like climbing back down the ladders we had
climbed to get up to the top. Partly because they didn't seem that easy
to get back down (especially for an adult), and partly because the temperature
outside was quickly approaching 90 degrees and it was easier to slide then climb
back down in the heat. As I sat down at the top of the slide, I had no fear,
but I wasn't too much in the mood to be sliding. So, reluctantly, I let go of
the sides and pushed myself through the tunnel. What I didn't expect was to not
like the slide so much that I let out a scream. Yes, you heard me right, I
screamed down the slide. I screamed because I wasn't expecting for gravity to
push me SO fast, or for the slide to be THAT long. I didn't like the feeling of
being out of control. I didn't like that I felt like I could ACTUALLY get
hurt.
Sometimes
that's what stepping out in faith feels like. It feels scary, it feels like we
could actually get hurt or lose something we'd rather not give up. But here's
the thing, they are ONLY feelings. Feelings and fears are NOT facts. They can
be indicators of possibilities, but they are not truth or the tangible reality.
God, He is the indicator of fact and reality. His truth is written out in His
word for us. These words are what we must hold on to and cling to as we learn
to choose faith over fear. Following feelings or making decisions based on fear
won't get us very far. In fact, I’m convinced that we would never move or
step out in faith if we always made our decisions based on fear because as
humans we are wired (or at least most of us are wired), to keep ourselves
safe. Did you know that the Bible has 365 verses that say don't be
afraid!?! This is surely not an accident. I believe that God has such a heart
of compassion and understanding that he knew we would need a verse for
every day in the year telling us not to be afraid.
Today
I don't know what God is asking you to do, or what you are afraid of, BUT I DO
know that you don't have to be afraid (Matthew 10:31). I DO know that God will
NEVER leave you or forsake you (Hebrews 13:5). I DO know that with God by your
side you can do ALL things (Philippians 4:13). Because His Word says so!!!
The Balance Beam
Today
my niece wanted to try out the balance beam. But this wasn't JUST any balance
beam. This balance beam MOVES as you walk across it. The first time she walked
across the beam she WOULD NOT let go of our hands by any means. The second time
she still held on with one hand, and even though we encouraged her that it was
safe, that she had seen the other kids do it by themselves, and that she could
do it, she still didn't let go. After this second attempt, she decided to get
down and explore other things. BUT just when we were supposed to be leaving,
she decided to give the balance beam one more try. This time I lifted her up,
and once again encouraged her to walk on her own. This time she seemed
miraculously brave and unafraid. She quickly decided she didn't need my hand,
though I still walked beside her as she went. She FINALLY did it!!! As she
turned back around to walk across one last time, I even started to distance
myself a little bit from her and SHE DID GREAT!!! She didn't seem too worried
that I was letting her do this on her own and it was beautiful. When she made
it to the end she jumped down and then we rushed to the car to celebrate with
mom, who was cheering for her from the parking lot. Today she was
victorious.
As
we left the playground and made our way home, I kept thinking about this
moment. I thought this must be how God sees us. He sees a little girl who is
capable to do what He created her to do. She can walk, talk, jump, and dance;
and he wants her to find out just how amazing she is at it. So He stands next
to us, He encourages us to be brave; He holds our hands for the first few tries,
all the while encouraging us to let go. FINALLY, we learn to trust Him by
letting go and taking one small step forward at a time. Soon we find out that
what He has told us is true, we CAN do it!
It
is then that He celebrates with us in excitement and joy.
It is when we let go
that we thrive in victory
Sometimes
God loosens his hand in ours seeing if we will be brave to walk on our own, yet
never leaving us, only encouraging us, because He wants to see us thrive. God
knows that we can thrive because he made us to.
Sister,
Brother, Today I encourage you to step out in faith God has you. I promise, He
promises!!!
"For
I know the plans I have for you," declares the Lord, "plans to
prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you a hope and a future."
Jeremiah
29:11
"Have
I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid, do not be
discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go."
Joshua
1:9
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Pleasant words are like honeycomb, sweet to the soul and healing to the bones. Proverbs 16:24