I suppose God can speak to you through the most unlikely of people. You could guess that God might speak to you through your pastor, your Bible study leader, or even your friend. The truth is, he can use anything or anyone.
Today, I heard God speaking to me through a game show host. Yes, that’s right. Steve Harvey had a word from God aimed right at me. In his words (and they are powerful words), “You Gotta Jump.”
The heart of the message, really, was to make your life count, to not merely exist but to pursue your dreams and engage your gifts. It’s what I was talking about in my recent blog on dreams.
Well, the truth is, I did jump. I jumped right into pursuing some of my dreams. I jumped right into the unknown, right into nothingness, right into things I may not be qualified for nor prepared for.
And guess what? My parachute didn’t open.
Instead of soaring into the great unknown, exhilarated by the sensation of achieving my goals, I instead was dashed upon the rocks. Discouragement formed like a wall blocking my path, daring me to rise. Raising myself up bloody and bruised, intimidated by the wall in front of me, I went back to my starting place. I remembered some of God’s promises. I gathered my courage. And I jumped again.
My parachute didn’t open. Again.
After the second attempt and the subsequent failure to launch, I was just about ready to shelf the very things that had given me hope and vision — shelf them until some undetermined time in the future. ‘This must not be God’s will or his timing,’ I thought.
Now, I do need to say that these ‘interruptions’ that short circuited my journey were not minor. They affected me deeply. They threatened my resolve. They stole my resource. They sidelined me.
I was struggling to get back on track when a letter came from a dear friend. She shared with me her hopes and dreams for this season, and how my words had encouraged her. As I read the letter, her words became life right back to me, inspiring me yet again to take the plunge. I began to see that my expectations of unimpeded progress were not realistic. My pursuit would require much more time, effort, and perseverance. I began to realize that I had gotten a little bruised through a couple of setbacks, but I didn’t die. Neither had my dreams.
When you jump into something new, it is rare to succeed the first, or even the second time. Normally, there is a fall, and you gather some injuries along the way. The cuts form scabs that heal, and the skin toughens itself to withstand more the next time.
Many times, the parachute doesn’t open. The doors don’t open right away. The grace isn’t always there at first.
Sometimes opposition is in direct correlation to the dream. The roadblock can be a loss of finances, time or other resources needed to fulfill the dream. Other times, it’s merely a distraction, usually a big one, that takes your time, focus, and energy away from pursuit of the dream. You may face obstacles of discouragement. Intimidation. Unbelief. Hopelessness. Reminders of past failures. Do remember that we have an enemy. He really likes to try to kill things when they are small, in their infancy and growing.
I believe, though, that there is a pushing through, a ‘get yourself up and get a move on’ attitude that can eventually make for some successes along the way, and progress towards the goal. In addition, we must remember that there are times when we need support. We need help. We need other people to help us re-enter the race. We are not meant to be islands unto ourselves, but a functioning body that works together.
Nothing that comes quickly or easily endures. The seeds that sprout quickly have shallow roots. Radishes are among the fastest sprouting seeds, and likewise they can be easily uprooted anytime in their development.
My daughter planted a redwood seed at the beginning of the year, and we are still waiting patiently for that seed to germinate and grow into one of the strongest and tallest plants in existence. It takes patience. It takes constant effort. It takes a relentless hope. It takes time.
So I’ve picked myself up from 2 different falls, and I’m heading back to the edge to jump again. And again and again. Each time, I’ll be stronger from the last jump. I’ll be smarter. My roots will be growing deeper. My commitment will grow stronger. And eventually, my parachute will open up for me. My gift, my dream will make a way.
Come on. Jump with me. If you already have jumped and fallen, then jump again. If you have jumped and succeeded, then jump higher. Eventually, our dreams will open up and carry us.
Dedicated to my friend, Debbie, and others who are jumping along with me.