Taking the Leap
I know it’s a tired metaphor, but watching one of my little students jump off the diving board today made me think about risk-taking in life. Our class was at the Y for the last time this summer, and at the end of their lesson, the kids (ages four and five) were all offered a chance to jump off the diving board into the deep end of the pool, for the first time. The swim instructor would wait beneath the board to catch them.
Surprisingly, only one brave little guy volunteered. He walked to the end and jumped in calmly and confidently, while the other kids watched and emphatically shook their heads when we asked them to try. Having seen his successful venture, another little girl decided to give it a whirl. She tiptoed up the railing and down the length of the board, then hesitated at the end.
The instructor gazed up at her, encouraging her to jump and promising that he would catch her. She looked back, knees slightly bent in preparation for the jump, while the other teacher and I cheered her on from the sidelines. But she froze too long, and then started to shake her head and back away a little. We told her to come back down and gave her high fives anyway. Then the first boy got a chance to jump again.
The metaphor I thought of is obvious - how many times in life I’ve been like that little girl, standing at the edge of the unknown while gazing down at my Instructor who is so prepared to catch me… yet unwilling to trust Him and believe His promises. I don’t want to stand trembling with my toes curled around the edge of the diving board, lingering in my uncertainty. I want to jump with complete trust, certain that He will catch me.
“I trust in the steadfast love of God forever and ever.” (Ps. 52:8)
“I was pushed hard, so that I was falling, but the Lord helped me. The Lord is my strength and my song; He has become my salvation.” (Ps. 118: 13-14)
“Trust in the Lord forever, for the Lord God is an everlasting rock.” (Isa. 26:4)
9 Comments to Taking the Leap
Wow, that is so much like an analogy I thought of one time!
I posted it here not long ago ~
http://pianogirl4christ.blogspot.com/2008/05/cold-water.html
Hi Anna,
I’m glad to see you’re back at blogging. Hope you had a refreshing break. : )
Thank God that we can put complete trust and confidence in Him! (Whether it’s about jumping or waiting for the call to jump. 
)
AnnaAugust 12, 2008
Zoe, that analogy was so similar, you’re right! Thanks for sharing yours as well.
Stephanie, I also like your addition - jumping, or just waiting for the call to jump. I was thinking of simply the leap of trusting in God in all circumstances, but in a particular circumstance it may look like waiting more than leaping immediately. Good point!
I find that when I make the courageous little changes or take the big step my life is better for it. With Him behind us we can always be confident
What a great reminder. I know I am definetly guilty of forgetting to trust my “instructor”. It is such a comfort to know we have Him to catch us in any situation. Thanks for this post!
Thanks for this reminder Anna! This is something I’ve really been challenged with lately…trusting that God has a perfect plan that may or may not fit into my comfort zone…and remembering that He’s got everything under control.
Thanks for your comment!
What a precious young woman you are! Do you realize how rare it is to see women your age so sold out to Jesus??? YOu are a jewel!
Keep your eyes on HIM!!!
God Bless!
That was wonderful. Yes, so often do we get to the edge, where God wants us, and then we say “no, *I* can’t do it”. We forget that no we can’t do it, but He can and he will be there to catch us.
Great lesson.
I was wondering where you got all your neat photos, or if you took them yourself?
Blessings!
Hi Anna,
I’m excited to see that you’re posting again. Lots of things you post hit me in the right spot. I especially love this post! I’ve been thinking a lot about something kind of similar lately. More in how little kids {not all but a lot} are so fearless and will try anything! [Not to mention outspoken in some situations] Also, how as we get older we somehow start to drift from that fearlessness and fear almost anything. I love the analogy you gave in this post though! It is so convicting!
Thanks
Sisters in Christ,
Emily
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I'm Anna. I'm 22. I love reading and writing. I'm a recent college graduate living at home. And I hope you are blessed by what you read here.
August 12, 2008