Skydiving and Other Ridiculous Leaps of Faith!
What do you think of skydiving??
Just imagine–the vibration of the mini plane soaring ever higher; quickened, gasping breaths; nervous prickling arms; the whoosh of air when the door slides open; little dots of color in geometric grids – are those houses down below?? Up so high– it’s like watching the world go by from God’s perspective.
Breathtaking Freedom!
Have I convinced you to take the leap?
No? Well, me either. In fact, you’ve read my thoughts about flying – for the most part, I DO NOT enjoy any part of it. In fact, I dislike it so much that many years ago I brokered “a deal” with God – I would do anything for Him BUT speak in front of crowds and fly on airplanes. Dah, duh, duh, dah!
While modern day airline travel is generally considered not to be risky, from a RATIONAL point of view, some would argue that freefalling out of a plane at heights of up to 14,000 feet can certainly be classified as crazy – oops, I meant to say dicey 😉 After all, isn’t that the attraction? One is somehow precariously balanced between freedom and danger – the chances of injury slim, yet undeniably possible. EEKS!
OK, so I won’t be jumping out of a plane anytime soon, but consider that first step into bottomless air that skydiver takes – I admire the courage! We all have opportunities to plunge into a new adventure but instead hold ourselves back. Why? Fear of failure? Fear of ridicule? Fear of an untried, unknown path? UGH – Fear!
Fear is a big deal in our lives in this day of terrorist; sickness and disease; economic unknowns and political upheaval. There is much to be afraid of. IF we allow ourselves to buy into what the news paper says instead of the Bible.
I choose the Bible. I choose to trust God and JUMP!
I choose to fly-afraid. I choose to speak-afraid. I choose to write-afraid. I choose to trust God with my kids–as they walk their own journey with Him–yes, sometimes afraid.
Bottom line–I choose faith.
I have not YET chosen to jump out of a plane but guess what–YOU NEVER KNOW!
Forget the former things; do not dwell on the past. See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it. I am making a way in the wilderness and streams in the wasteland.
Isaiah 43:18-19
I LOVE this scripture! It speaks to me of seizing the moment.
Lets choose to TAKE A LEAP and leave that rotten over-thinking, over-analyzing, over-everything brain behind!
Adventure “springs” up for us, leading us into the “wilderness” of the unknowns. I have been living this for months and months now, accepting (or trying to) the divergence of life’s mysteries and allowing God to be my parachute!!
What is YOUR LEAP OF FAITH TODAY??
Thankful for you,
Pat
Oh sister Pat, my leap of faith will have to be in public speaking, writing a book and becoming a Sunflower farmer! Those are my dream jobs! Things The Lord has laid on my heart but then I remember that I’m afraid of rejection and that my college English professor told me I wasn’t a good 1st, 2nd, 3rd or 4th draft writer but by the 5th time I’m starting to get there…and then there’s the Sunflower farm…I only have a little acreage and I’ve only grown some vegetables but never truly farmed. So I need a huge push to do any of those things with any hope of success! Those are my struggles that feel like I may as well jump from a plane which is absolutely not going to happen cause I’m a BIG CHICKEN!!!
Paula, you are a HOOT! YOU MUST write a book! Everyone has a story to tell. Just Imagine passing your story along, even if it is just for your children/grandchildren/best friend!!
As for the Sunflower Farmer–oh girl–still my beating heart!!! Please do it!!
xoxo
Pat
Pat,
These words caught my attention ” I choose to write-afraid.” You must get sick of me saying writing “that” book.
But just like leaping out of plane, to leap out in faith with this book is so scary.