So after yesterday’s post, I was expecting to share some exciting discussion from my Crazy Love group last night. Nope. The truth is, stepping out on faith is scary… for everyone. When asked the question, “if you had unlimited faith, unlimited resources, and unlimited support what would you do?” the group drew a blank. Sure we thought of some broad things like travelling the world to personally end hunger or to intercede in some conflict to bring about peace. But we were unable to come up with something that we, as Joe Shmoe Christians, could practically do right now.
My brother in law was in town this weekend, and we all got together for dinner Saturday night. He was telling us about his one time trying out skydiving. He said it wasn’t that scary; he was confident because of all the practice and prep that came before. But when he was on the plane, and the person in front of him jumped out of an open door into nothing, he was paralyzed. It’s not the jump that scares you, it’s the anticipation right before.
The big adventures in faith are like that. Once we step out, we realize it’s not that bad. But thinking about it ahead of time. Praying about it. Planning it. We can psyche ourselves out before we ever take that first step if we’re not careful. That’s why it was so easy to make excuses when confronted to follow Jesus.
As they were walking along the road, a man said to him, “I will follow you wherever you go.”
Jesus replied, “Foxes have holes and birds of the air have nests, but the Son of Man has no place to lay his head.”
He said to another man, “Follow me.”
But the man replied, “Lord, first let me go and bury my father.”
Jesus said to him, “Let the dead bury their own dead, but you go and proclaim the kingdom of God.”
Still another said, “I will follow you, Lord; but first let me go back and say good-by to my family.”
Jesus replied, “No one who puts his hand to the plow and looks back is fit for service in the kingdom of God.” (Luke 9:57-62)
Peter, on the other hand, didn’t think ahead. When he saw Jesus walking on water he stepped right out. It was when he started thinking about it that he began to sink. (Matthew 14:22-36)
I guess the moral of the story is don’t think! Actually, I’m curious: has there ever been anything you’ve wanted to do that you talked yourself out of because you thought too much about it?
And since I couldn’t get this song out of my head when I heard the topic for this carnival (and it helps that I have two small children) here for your viewing pleasure is some Sesame Street:
This entry is part of a Blog Carnival hosted by Peter Pollock. This week’s topic is “adventure“. Be sure to visit the carnival and check out all the other posts!
I totally agree – once we get GOING on the adventure, it's usually pretty exciting. But the actual start? Terrifying. To actually take the plunge seems to require far more faith than any other part of the adventure.
The way my BIL described it, I would've froze too. Here one instant is someone standing and a plane flying pretty fast. The next instant that person is completely gone.
I guess that's why we close our eyes before jumping!
I think I'm much more like Peter. The times I've thought too much about things instead of following my gut I've regretted. Which is not to say some things I thought were a good idea at the time turned out not to be.
Interesting observation. My mother always told me that I think too much. Hmmm….
Just do it!
Great post. Thank you.
Blessings!
Amen!
He asks us to be obedient. To know His voice well enough that we don't have to stop to think when He requests something, we just act.
I pray that when He says "jump" I only ask "how high?"
i can over think things sometimes.
The thing about Peter is that we often look at how he's brash and impulsive, yet he stood firm in the end. Figure he learned from all the "mistakes" he made.
Oh, to hear God's voice so clearly we don't have to think! I think I'll start praying for that.
Thanks everyone for your comments!
I believe that it depends on what God is asking us to do as to how quickly we respond. The young man wanted to "think about it some more" because he had a funeral he needed to tend to first. I am guilty of telling God, "Just a minute until I finish this thing." Is anyone else here like that?
I once did exactly that — jumped off into the unknown. And I met God face to face. Had I stuck tot he plan, it never would have happened.
Good post, fatha Frank.