June 26, 2020
When You’re Afraid to Jump Into the Deep End of God’s Will
Sharon Jaynes
Today’s Truth
However it is written, “What no eye has seen, what no ear has heard, and what no human mind has conceived”— the things God has prepared for those who love him— (1 Corinthians 2:9 NIV)
Friend to Friend
Have you ever been afraid to jump into the deep end of God’s will? I certainly have. Then God showed me how.
I was sitting on the balcony of a condominium listening to the excited squeals and splashes as children played in the swimming pool below.
One particular little girl caught my attention. She appeared to be about six years old and wore bright yellow water wings wrapped around her arms like blood pressure cuffs. As she stood on the side of the pool nervously flapping her arms, her daddy was poised in waist-deep water with his arms outstretched.
“Come on, honey, you can do it,” he coached. “Go ahead and jump. I’m right here.”
“But I’m scared,” she said, whining and flapping. “You might not catch me.”
“Don’t be afraid. I’m right here.”
“But you might move!”
“I’m not going to move. I’m not going to let anything happen to you,” he assured her.
This bantering went on for at least fifteen minutes. I was amazed at the father’s patience and persistence. But finally, she jumped! Applause went up all around the pool! By the end of the morning, the little girl was swimming like a minnow and making her way across the once seemingly treacherous waters.
Then God began to speak to my heart. Sharon, sometimes you’re that little girl. And suddenly I began to see myself standing on the edge of that pool with my Heavenly Father beckoning me to jump in.
Come on, honey, you can do it, He coaxes. Go ahead and jump. I’m right here.
“But I’m scared,” I cry. “You might not catch me.”
Don’t be afraid. I’m right here.
“But You might move!”
I’m not going to move. I’m your heavenly Father. I’m not going to let anything bad happen to you.
The Bible says, “What no eye has seen, what no ear has heard, and what no human mind has conceived”— the things God has prepared for those who love him—(1 Corinthians 2:9). But in order to experience what He has prepared for us we have to jump in.
All through the Bible we read of men and women who were afraid when God called them to jump in to His plan. Moses cried out at the burning bush, “Who am I that I should go to the Pharaoh and bring the Israelites out of Egypt!” And God replied, “Now go; I will help you speak and teach you what to say.” (Exodus 3:11, 4:12).
Jeremiah struggled with moving forward with the words, “Ah, Sovereign Lord, I do not know how to speak; I am but a child.” And God replied, “Do not be afraid of them, for I am with you, and will rescue you.” (Jeremiah 1:6,8)
Gideon “flapped his water wings” and refused to jump in with several excuses. “But Lord, how can I save Israel? My clan is the weakest in Manasseh, and I am the least in my family.” And God replied, “I will be with you.” (Judges 6:15-16)
Moses, Jeremiah, and Gideon finally jumped in the deep end of God’s will, and God did amazing works through each of them.
Did you notice the little girl said, “Daddy, what if you don’t catch me?”
The fear of “what if” holds me back sometimes too. I wonder if it does you, too.
What if He doesn’t catch me? What if I heard Him wrong? What if I fail?
Allowing the fear of “what if” to mess with our mind and rule our heart will smother our confidence and courage with an avalanche of doubt. But. fear has no choice except to leave the premises when we stand on the promises of God and say, “You are not welcome here.”
Here’s what I’ve decided: when God calls me to dare greatly—I’m going to jump in with both feet, but never let go of His hand. I hope you will too. “What no eye has seen, what no ear has heard, and what no human mind has conceived— the things God has prepared for those who love him.” Let’s jump in and experience those things together.
Let’s Pray
Heavenly Father, sometimes I am so afraid to move forward in faith. Sometimes I’m not sure if it is Your voice or my own I’m sensing. But I’ve decided that I am going to err on the side of obedience. Give me the courage to move when You say move, to speak when You say speak, to jump into the deep end of Your will when You say “jump in.”
In Jesus’ Name,
Amen.
Now It’s Your Turn
Consider this verse: “Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the Lord your God goes with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you.” Deuteronomy 31:6 NIV
What is one thing God is calling you to do, but you’ve been reluctant to take the leap?
Leave a comment and tell what that one thing is. Once you say it aloud, or in this case type out the words, you’ll be more likely to move forward in faith. Plus, we’ll be here to cheer you on.
More from the Girlfriends
Also see the laminated True Identity in Christ card filled with verses that fits snuggly in your Bible as a daily reminder of who God says you are! And check out the Lambano Take Hold Necklace made by women rescued from poverty in Haiti and Mexico.
Originally published Friday, 26 June 2020.
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