TO LEAP OR NOT TO LEAP

Please welcome my friend Lynn Mosher, part of "The Network" of Christian writers, who cast their writing nets for Jesus. Lynn can be found regularly at LynnMosher.com.

Standing on the edge, swimmies snug on the arms.

Ready, set, JUMP!

Caught by Dad.

Paddle to the edge.

Climb the ladder.

Stand on the edge again.

Ready, set, JUMP! 

Those were the days when the kids were very young and we took them swimming. They loved to leap from the side of the pool and be caught by their dad.

But let’s back up a bit. Did they love jumping in at first? No way! In fact, they were quite apprehensive, even frightened. But after a bazillion times of ‟Come on, I’ll catch you,” their built up trust in their father and they leaped, recognizing the safety of his open arms, and their fears dissipated.

What about us? Are we ready to take a leap off that spiritual edge into the scary unknown of obeying some command or new action given by the Lord? Or do we believe it to be so difficult that we talk ourselves out of obedience?

Do we permit our past to shove us into the back of the closet of self-preservation? Do we accept the attempts of the Ol’ Fear-monger to paralyze us with fear, immobilizing us in our present?

We always have a choice. To get started in whatever task the Lord calls us to do, we must choose to overcome what holds us back and take that step or leap of faith.

However, the Lord never gives us courage for that first step. He leaves that initial decision up to us. He may nudge us with a bazillion come-ons, but we have to take that first step of faith, or leap of faith, as the case may be. Just as those down through the ages have done.

Noah stepped out in total faith. Actually, he took a giant leap! Build a what? Because it’s going to do what? What is rain? And what’s a cubit? Did others laugh at him? I’m most certain they did.

Has God led you to do something so outrageous that it appears ridiculous to you? Stepping out may seem laughable to you but it will cost you, and possibly others, dearly if you do not obey.

Did it seem impossible to the Israelites when they were hemmed in on all sides, the Pharaoh’s rattling chariots closing in behind them, the mountain heights looming on either side of them, and the sea’s heaving waves in front of them?

Do what? Go forward? What about the water? Go into it? Beyond the bounds of possibility, right? Has God asked you to do something that seems hopeless to accomplish? He will make a way, you know.

And there’s Abraham. Obeying the Lord by leaving where he lived and going to an unknown land. “By faith Abraham obeyed when he was called to go out to the place which he would receive as an inheritance. And he went out, not knowing where he was going. By faith he dwelt in the land of promise.” (Hebrews 11:8-9a NKJV)

Not even knowing where he was going! But to activate that promise of God, Abraham placed one foot in front of the other. In my quirky mind, I hear the words to the song in the cartoon Santa Claus is Coming to Town...

Put one foot in front of the other
And soon you’ll be walking cross the floor
Put one foot in front of the other
And soon you’ll be walking out the door.

Has God been nudging you to do something but you’ve hesitated or ignored Him? If you are apprehensive, even frightened to take that first step or leap of faith, trust in your Father, take the plunge, recognize the safety of His open arms, and your fears will dissipate.

To leap or not to leap? Go ahead...be courageous! Take the leap! See what happens!

Lynn Mosher lives with her hubby (since 1966) in their Kentucky nest, emptied of three chicklets and embraced three giggly grand-chicklets and an inherited dog. Lynn’s passion is to encourage others and glorify the Lord with her writing. Stop by for a refill at her website, Heading Home,http://lynnmosher.com.

FEAR NOT

After Moses died, Joshua was preparing to lead the Israelites across the Jordan river; to fulfill God’s promise began 40 years earlier when Moses led them out of Egypt. It was all up to Joshua: cross the river or wander the rest of their lives in the desert. No doubt Joshua was more than a little afraid of his new responsibility. So God assured him, saying: "Be strong and courageous." (1 Joshua 6)

After God told Joshua to be strong and courageous, God then told Joshua, "Be strong and very courageous." (1 Joshua 7)

Finally God told Joshua once more, "Be strong and courageous," adding, "Do not be terrified; do not be discouraged, for the LORD your God will be with you wherever you go." (1 Joshua 9)

Three times God repeated His encouragement to Joshua to be strong and courageous. God knows how much easier it is for us humans to be timid and fearful.

Throughout the Bible, whenever God sent his messengers, often the angel’s first words were: "Do not be afraid." Angels know that as wonderful and lovely as they are, seeing one show up can turn us humans into screaming scaredy pants. Angels, too, know that fear is a natural part of our lives.

Paul, however, reminded us that …

God did not give us a spirit of timidity, but a spirit of power, of love and of self-discipline." (2 Timothy 1:7)

The point about courage is not that you have no fear. The point about courage is that you do what is necessary in the face of fear. You do it even though you are afraid.

In Philippians 4:13, Paul says, "I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me." Paul isn’t saying he’s strong just because he’s a believer. Rather, Paul means he can do all things because the Spirit of God empowers him. Because of Jesus’ sacrifice, Paul now has the Holy Spirit. It is God’s Spirit who makes Paul strong.

And this Spirit of God that made Paul strong? It’s in each believer, living, waiting, available to strengthen us, too.

Our spirit of weakness, timidity and incapacity does not come from God. What comes from God is a spirit of power, love and self-discipline because it is God’s own Spirit; His Holy Spirit, living in us.

Every time we remind ourselves that God’s strong and courageous Spirit is in us, and step out in faith, we experience the courageous power of God in us and become stronger and more courageous, both for now and for the next time we are faced with the choice of fear or courage. It usually begins with the small stuff—not angelic visitors; not leading a million people into a promised land; not birthing a famous baptist minister like John. Sometimes it simply begins with an attitude of submission to God’s will and a trust that He is in charge of everything—for our good.

Each time we shut our ears to fear and open our hearts to the power of God’s Spirit, we let courage expand and become a more natural part of who we are and especially—who we are in Christ.

If an angel ever comes to visit me, I hope he says, "Fear not. Be strong and courageous, because you can do all things through Christ who strengthens you."


NOTE: This is a reposting from www.WeUsed2BU.com where our theme for August was "fear."

CALL ME JONNY

One of my favorite cartoons growing up was The Adventures of Jonny Quest. It was about a boy who accompanied his scientific genius father on extraordinary adventures. Along for the ride were brawny Roger Bannon, Jonny’s friend Hadji and dog, Bandit. Together they used science and muscle power to solve mysteries and stop evil. 

That reminds me of Jesus. 

What if we lived our lives as if we were on a spiritual, Jonny Quest adventure? Together. As a team. 

• You and I would be Jonny.
• Abba Father would be Dad.
• Bannon, the bodyguard, would be Jesus.
• Mystical Hadji would be the Holy Spirit.

Plus Bandit. Because dogs are good to have on any adventure! 

Together we would team up to thwart evil and solve the mysteries of our spiritual life. 

In fact, as we quest through this world, we should always do so as part of God’s team; always seeking His leading; always following His guidance; always joining Him to fight evil. 

And always seeing God’s plan as the extraordinary adventure it is. 

Whatever our quest, wherever God leads us, let us embark upon God’s extraordinary adventure with excited expectation. 

Here’s a prayer I have posted in the place of highest honor in our house (the fridge). I read it daily. Pray with me. 

PRAYER:  Dear God, please turn my fear into excited expectation for what you have planned. Amen.

WHAT ABOUT YOU? Have you had a chance to turn your fear of the unknown into excited expectation, by trusting in God’s leading?

For more about the cartoon series The Adventures of Jonny Quest, go to: http://www.tv.com/shows/jonny-quest/

www.imdb.com indicates that a live action movie version of Jonny Quest is “in development.” Stay tuned.