leashes and diving boards

SO, I went to McLean Bible Church this past weekend. It was an amazing experience. I got to learn more about their church, what goes on and experience some of the ministry life there.
On Friday night we went to a worship service for college students and the College Pastor had some amazing illustrations I want to share.

Okay-- so you know those parents that are so over protective and do not want to lose their child, but also they want to do their own thing?? -- they put their kids on those leashes- the ones that hook around the wrist or even if you want to look cute- the kid has this back pack harness that's in the shape of an animal or something - and they are connected to a leash that their parents hold. So, when the parent and the kid are out- the kid can do his own thing and the parent can do his own thing. The parent can pull in the child when he wants to or when they need to keep moving or when he just needs his child next to him. He can pull the child in and out to give freedom then restriction. How much more loving and endearing is it for the parent to hold the childs hand? that is more intimate and shows a relationship.

That is exactly what we do with God. We put him on a leash. We say- hey i will go do my own thing and you can do your own thing. we pull him into our life only when we need him. we give God freedom to do his own thing- and then when we need him in our lives we restrict him close to him and do not want him to go anywhere. we hold that leash tight that we do not hold his hand. we do not allow him to be intimate with us and love us completely.

what is wrong with this picture?! this is NOT how we should treat God, but be honest with yourself...that is exactly how we do. kind of sad right? like he created us. he wants to be with us. he loves us so much he wants to be our everything. but he gives us free will to do whatever we want. how amazing is it that he is still there for us even though we do not always treat him right.
I pray that everyday more and more I can become more like Him and not put him on a leash and hold that leash--- but actually hold his hand

One more illustration really made me think.

The Pastor was a life guard for a while and he said he loved watching the little kids jump off the diving boards. He said there were three types of kids.

• the kid who walks to the end of the board painfully, looks down at the water and gets freaked out- so he slowly walks backwards to the stairs off the back of the diving board and makes his way down the stairs


• the kid who goes to the end of the diving board, is kind of timid and barely jumps of the edge, but does and makes a little splash


• then there is the kid who just runs right off and then leaps in the air like there is no tomorrow! and he just keeps going back to discover more ways to jump off- like going from the cannon ball to the dive, to the flip to the backwards flip and so on!

Each way is how bold we are in Christ.

We will only be as bold as much as we trust God

The first kid doesn't trust the water will be okay for him to jump in. he gets too scared to actually see what is down there. something inside of him is holding him back.
The second kid is really timid, doesnt really know what to do. but he kind of just goes out there to see what is going to happen. he thinks that the water will be okay.
Then the third trusts the water is going to break his fall and he will enjoy it! he is not afraid at all because he knows that the water is safe. nothing is holding him back.

I think you can see where I am going with this. relate that to your Christian life.

are you too scared to trust God? to go where he wants you to go? to trust he has a perfect plan for your life? is something- a sin, an idol- holding you back from experiencing what God wants for you? are you no believing that God can rescue you?

are you kind of trusting God? sometimes you do, and other times you dont? do you know Him? do you really believe that God is able to help you out in everything that you do? do you believe that God is good but doubt his power?

are you trusting God with all of your heart, soul and mind? are you willing to go and do whatever he calls you to do? are you living in a trusting relationship with Him that he is showing you that you can do more than you can imagine? are you believing God and using his power?

Boldness comes from trusting God's power

GOD IS ABLE!

Do we believe it?

LIVE IT!

when you trust in His power, goodness and character.
you will have boldness and impact.

{embrace the journey}