November 1, 2017
Living in God’s Yes and Best
Sharon Jaynes
Today’s Truth
“I can do everything through him [Jesus] who gives me strength,” (Philippians 4:13 NIV).
Friend to Friend
Several years ago, my husband and I decided to go zip lining on the island of Kauai. After being jostled and tossed like ragdolls in the back of a retired army jeep, we finally made it to the top of the mountain from which we were going to zip down—risking life and limb I might add.
After watching my husband fly through the trees, I climbed up onto a wooden platform and surrendered to Jack, a jovial, burly Hawaiian, who strapped me into a harness and placed a helmet on my head. With a simple click of a metal buckle, he attached my harnessed body onto a seemingly flimsy steel cable.
As I stood on the edge of the platform eyeing the disappearing earth below, I had a choice. I could say, “no thanks” and ask to be released from the cable, or I could jump.
I chose to jump. My body flew over the treetops and the stunningly beautiful gorge. I was Tarzan’s Jane and this was my jungle. Airborne. Exhilarating. Risky.
Jacob was with us that day. He was a stranger among our little band of adventurers. Jacob was alone. No friends. No spouse. No family.
“Jacob, what brings you up to this mountain today?” I asked.
“I’m afraid of heights,” he answered.
I then noticed the thin line of perspiration beading over his upper lip. The slight tremble in his voice. The mechanical one-foot-in-front-of-the-other halted gait up the hill.
“You’re afraid of heights?” I asked. “Then why are you here?”
“I’m going to conquer it today,” he determinedly answered.
I was struck. We were here to have fun. He was here for a totally different reason. When Jacob stood on that platform, I prayed for my new friend. For Jacob this was not just a joy ride…or just maybe it was.
I’m not saying that God told Jacob to go to the top of a mountain, attach his body to a flimsy cable, and fly over the gorge at the risk of life and limb. But I am saying that obedience often requires a leap of faith that feels just like it.
Too often we say “yes” to God, but live the “no” because of fear.We stand at the precipice of belief and have to make a decision. Am I going to trust God or not?
Am I going to attach my heart to the cable of His love and take a leap of faith, or am I going to freeze in fear because I don’t trust that He has my best interests in mind?
Am I going to settle for safety and miss the thrill of seeing God work through me? Or am I going to live the “yes” and experience life to the full.
As we live and move and have our being in Jesus, God will take us to some amazing places. And there will always be a choice. Will we jump headlong into the adventurous journey of His perfect plan, or will we hang back for lack of faith?
Jacob stood on the platform, took a deep breath, and jumped. He flew over the treetops, careened over the river, and landed safely on the other side of his greatest fear.
We clapped and cheered. Jacob took a bow. God smiled.
In Him we live and move and have our being…and sometimes we soar.
Let’s Pray
Lord, sometimes I’m just flat out afraid. Afraid I’ll fail. Afraid I’ll be rejected. Afraid I won’t be good enough. Forgive me for focusing on my weaknesses rather than Your strength. Today, I’m believing that I can do all things that You call me to do because I know that You will give me the strength I need.
In Jesus’ Name,
Amen.
Now It’s Your Turn
Is there anything in your life that God has called you to do that you haven’t done?
What’s holding you back?
What are you afraid of?
Who are you afraid of?
Consider memorizing today’s truth.
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