Just Jump!

Sometimes my life reminds me of the time I got stuck on the high dive at the pool when I was in my tweens.  I climbed up there because I wanted to conquer the challenge.  I had a goal.  I had an audience too.  I got out to the end of the diving board and I stared down at the water.  I kept trying to convince myself to take the leap, but the longer I stood there the more nervous I got.  People started yelling at me.  Much of this was because there was a line behind me of people who weren't afraid and wanted their turn.  In the end I hung my head and climbed back down the ladder.  I don't want to live like that.  In the swimming pool of life it is time for me to hold my breath and jump, trusting that by the grace of God I will float and maybe even swim.

In the book of Matthew (14:22-33) Peter doesn't climb a high dive, instead he steps out of the boat on a windy night.  He has a purpose!  He is going to meet Jesus out on the water.  The waves are crashing around him, the other disciples are watching him, they may have even been yelling at him.  Peter probably looked at the water; NIV says he "saw the wind."  He started to sink.  Jesus rescued Peter from drowning that day, and he taught us an important lesson.  When our focus is on Jesus, and we look to him for our strength, every plan that God has given us will succeed.  When we become distracted by circumstances, spectators, hecklers or even cheerleaders, we fail to exercise the power available to us.  Focusing on our weakness, or our ability, rather than on Christ's strength is a tried and true recipe for defeat.

I'd been standing on the proverbial diving board for a long time waiting for someone to push me off.  I guess I'd rather be pushed because then, if I sink, there is someone else to blame.  I've been standing at the side of the boat looking out and asking, "do You really want me to do this, or is this just some crazy thing I have concocted?"  I recently took a long awaited plunge.  Storms raged around and in me while I hesitated, but finally the conviction became so strong that there was no turning back.  I've already had moments where I felt like I was sinking, but Jesus is always there and when I focus on him I rise.  Life is full of opportunities to take a leap of faith.  It's not meant to be a spectator's sport, and if we won't get wet we find ourselves watching it pass us by.  We receive so much blessing from doing the things God has called us to, but the glory is His alone.  If you've been standing on the edge, make sure your eyes are on Jesus then go for it, but remember to stay focused on Him.  I need to stay focused on Him!

Hebrews 12:2  Looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising it's shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God. 

Going

Water swirling, waves are crashing;

There is somewhere I must go.

Boat won't take me.  Faith will only.

Now my Savior's will I know.

Wind is blowing, boat is rocking;

I must step beyond it's bow.

Water's cold now, clothes are heavy,

But my end He won't allow.

Feet are walking.  Jesus calling!

Now my eyes are fixed on Him.

Arms that catch me. His face I see.

He's the Light that never dims.

J.M. Huyett  (March 13, 2013)

Reflections on the Water

As I gaze out of the glass door that leads from my bedroom to the world outside my house, I observe that the earth has been saturated by a heavy and steady rain. The little stream that ordinarily trickles at the side of the yard is gushing this morning. I notice something in the middle of the yard that I have seen before on occasions such as this. There is the suggestion of a stream that winds through the pasture where the ground is low, and when there is enough water it stretches out toward the more constant stream. I can see it running, but it falls short. The ground soaks it up before it ever reaches its destination. On dry days the path it follows is barely visible.

The stream at the side of the yard with its foaming rolling waters has a defined path that it follows. Its source is a spring in the wooded bank, and for most of the year there is at least moisture in its bed. At the bottom of our valley there is a larger creek that faithfully flows through town after town, pasture, field, wood and meadow.

This picture has caused me to reflect on life. That small trail of runoff is a sad sight. It brings to mind Romans 3:23 "for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God." Praise be to God for sending His Son Jesus to become the bridge by which we may reach our destination which is everlasting life. John 3:16 tells us "for God so loved the world that He gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes on Him shall not perish but have eternal life.

The stream is me. As a growing Christian there are times when I am bubbling up to the brim. There are also seasons when all that can be detected is a bit of moisture. Many times I merely trickle. I would like to be more like the creek down in the valley. I know it has times when it is high and times when it is low, but it is always flowing, always moving toward the river.

I love to see water flow. It is one of my favorite parts of nature. I love to hike along a stream and watch the waters tumble and swirl. I praise the Lord that "He who began a good work in [me] will carry it on to completion until the day of Jesus Christ." (Philippians 1:6) He is my source and my supply. The ground will never be able to soak me up completely. I have a guarantee that I will make it to my destination - eternal life with Him!