I remember one summer when I was a young boy about 7 years old I had swimming lessons at the public pool. As a 7 year old, that swimming pool was huge. I never dreamed I would be able to swim all the way across. By the end of the week I had accomplished this very thing. I also remember that week I jumped off of the high dive for the first time. There was a low dive that was just 3 or 4 feet above the water, and the high dive was around 8-10 feet above the water. It seemed more like about 20 feet in my eyes. It’s funny how things seem so much bigger when your 7 years old. The water was 12 feet deep. My friend was going to go first and he climbed up the ladder, walked about half way to the edge and chickened out. He climbed back down the ladder. Then it was my turn and being the brave soul that I am, I climbed on up there and was ready to jump. My swimming instructor was below in the water waiting for me. I was pretty nervous. Who am I kidding? I was terrified! Still I had to do it, so I jumped. When I came up out of the water, relieved that I had survived, and that the high dive had been defeated, I noticed that my swimming instructor was laughing. I know what you’re thinking, and even as a young child it was one of the first things I thought of as well. I checked and my shorts were still on! So I looked at her and said, “What’s so funny?”
She said, “You should have seen the look on your face!” and watched me as I swam to the side of the pool.
You see, even though I knew my instructor was there to save me if I somehow got into trouble, I still was pretty terrified to step off of that diving board. But, I had built a trusting relationship with my instructor and I believed she would have saved me. I believe with a few more days of lessons, my friend would have been able to take the plunge as well.
If you’re a Christian, you should know that you are safe. I don’t mean that because you’re a Christian you are ready to go and jump off of a high dive. It could be any challenge that is set before you. Surrendering to the ministry is one of the most terrifying things I have ever done, but just like my swimming instructor waiting for me in the water when I was 7 years old, I knew Jesus had my back. We all have a ministry and God given gifts we should be giving as daily sacrifices to our Lord. So many times our faith is small and we begin sinking beneath the waves of life defeated. We turn around and go back the easy way. I want you to know that you can trust Jesus. We need to keep our focus on Jesus because He is our savior, our redeemer, our counselor and protector. When we build our relationship with Jesus and trust in Him, we will realize that in Jesus we can overcome the challenges we face. Take comfort in knowing that if you have come to know Jesus, He will never leave you or forsake you and nothing can separate you from His love.
“So if you’ll take my hand
We’ll close our eyes and count to three
And take the leap of faith
Come on let’s go” - Steven Curtis Chapman “Dive”
Weekly Challenge: Read Romans 8:31-39. Set aside a time this week to discuss this passage with family members or friends.
