Go Ahead & Jump In by Dawn White

Go Ahead & Jump In!

  "For a great door and effectual is opened to me, and there are many adversaries."  

1 Cor. 16:9

If you have children old enough to swim, you've probably engaged in the activity I'm about to describe.  Somewhere around the age of 2-3 years, you put them on the side of the pool and then coax them to jump into your arms.  There may be some apprehension initially, but they finally jump.  They may come up from that water coughing and sputtering, they may have gotten water in their nose and it burns, or they may be feeling the effects of chlorine in their eyes.  Nonetheless, now that they've braved that jump, they're ready to do it again and again and again.  

Friends, this scenario is what is described in the scripture above.  There is an open door (the jump into the pool)...it is an exciting door.  But with that door comes the enemy who will present obstacles and hurdles (coughing/sputtering) to try to prevent you from walking through that door.  As you move closer to that door, you can expect him to start trying to derail you.

My family are currently walking this journey.  God has presented the open door to us.  As we've taken the steps to move closer, we've received persecution and hindrances.  We've come up coughing and sputtering if you will.  But here's the bottom line - just as the parent is not going to let that child sink, God is not going to let us go down.  He will catch us.  And it is with that confidence that we keep moving forward.

Let's go back to the child in the pool.  As the child jumps and masters this activity, he/she learns many lessons.   One of the most important is that the parent will catch him/her and not let them sink.  Imagine if the parent only caught the child on occasion.  The confidence of the child would be diminished and fear/anxiety may keep them from jumping.  And so it is for us, our Heavenly Father is faithful; He will catch us.  He doesn't waiver.  Hebrews 13:8 says that He is the same yesterday, today, and forever.  In Psalm 145:13 He tells us that He is faithful to all His promises.  We do not have to waiver in fear/anxiety.  He who beckons us is faithful to catch us.

Another lesson that the child learns is that water in the nose/eyes, coughing & sputtering can only stop you if you let them.  Granted, they are not comfortable, but you can overcome them.  In fact, it is these very obstacles, that can develop great swimming techniques in the child.  You know where I'm going with this....the same obstacles that the enemy puts in your path will develop your faith.  They will stretch your faith, but God will be faithful and you will be even more sure of that as  you move closer to the door.  Then when the next obstacle comes, your faith is up for the challenge.

And finally, as the child conquers the water up the nose and all the coughing, they love the activity of jumping in.  They want to do it again and again, until your arms can't catch another jump.  Ahhhh...the same is true for us.  Once we get through that door, we'll be so thankful that we stuck it out and didn't give in to the fear and anxiety that comes with the obstacles and persecution presented by the enemy. The blessings and rewards are more than we can dream.

Friends, I don't know what door God has placed before you.  But here is what I do know....there will be obstacles.  It is in the Word of God; it is truth.  But it is also in scripture - "Praise be to God who always causes us to triumph in Christ Jesus..." [emphasis mine] 2 Cor. 2:14.   Go ahead, jump in.  He who is faithful will catch you!  

Blessings!