Faith is defined in the dictionary as: confidence or trust in a person or thing.
When I was younger, I loved playing on the playground for hours. However, the monkey bars loomed as a chasm, spanning from one side to the other. The one obstacle I found daunting. So let’s play along and pretend that we all had the same issue while growing up.
Spring has just arrived and the temperature sits comfortably at 72 degrees. Not only is the weather gorgeous but you get to spend time with dad all day. The car ride feels like forever as you sit in your car seat, restrained by the safety straps. Finally, the car slows to a stop by the playground. Your dad turns off the engine and steps out to unbuckle you. The wait is driving you crazy and you squeal with anticipation. Any second now the playground will become your empire. The buckles pop open and you’re free.
Gravity no longer exists as you seemingly float to the warm bark surrounding the glistening steel structures. Your imagination goes wild with the possibility of adventure. One second you’re a professional free runner, the next, Spiderman. Sweat drips from your hair as you conquer every obstacle.
Yet, there is still one that remains. Your nemesis. The only thing holding you back from exploring what lies beyond your universe. Monkey bars. Your steps become a shuffle as you near the edge, hands clammy and throat dry. You know it has to be done.
Your dad slowly walks over to observe your grand finale, arms folded. You’re not sure, but you think you detect a confident smile at the corners of his lips. Your gaze meets his and then back to the bars.
The two foot drop seems like a terrifying abyss. You stare at the eleven bars in front of you. It’s now or never. You gulp as you stretch the entirety of yourself, fingers barely able to reach. The warm steel feels slick and dangerous. You wonder, will my grip hold? You lunge forward, leaving the security of solid footing. Its official, full commitment. No turning back. You look to the ground and see the fiery lava bubbling.
Your dad steps closer, almost within arms’ reach. He nods in support. It’s all you need to keep going. One hand over the other. From bar to bar. Courage starts to build as you near the middle. You know that the younger kids will never beat you at another game of tag. Only four more bars lie between you and freedom. Bigger adventures.
However, something is going wrong. Your hands are slick and muscles weak. Frantic and desperate you yell for help. Hands continue to weaken and the ground seems to pull you into a black hole. You become fixated on your crisis as you hang at the edge of freedom. So close, yet so far.
Tears form, rolling down your cheeks. Not only is fear sitting deep within you, but where is dad? You’re stuck and want out of this mess. It hurts and your body is weak. Overwhelmed, all you can think about is being rescued. Right as you feel yourself starting to slip, you hear a whisper so smooth and gentle, a calm takes over.
“I’m right here with you. If you fall, I will catch you. Trust me and keep moving. I will give you strength to go even farther than the monkey bars.”
Les Brown says it perfectly; “The graveyard is the richest place on earth, because it is here that you will find all the hopes and dreams that were never fulfilled, the books that were never written, the songs that were never sung, the inventions that were never shared, the cures that were never discovered, all because someone was too afraid to take that first step, keep with the problem, or determined to carry out their dream.”
This 11 month missions trip is 11 bars to cross. To be fully honest, I’m nervous. I’m not sure how the people I talk with will react to hearing the gospel. Let alone be fully open to listening to a privileged American. Yet, I know this is where I’m supposed to be. There are millions of people out there waiting to cross the monkey bars. They stand there waiting for acknowledgement or the courage to make the jump.
I’m going to listen to the soft whisper to trust and keep moving. I’m excited to serve those millions of people. That’s what this missions trip is all about. To love endlessly, bless enormously, and serve courageously.
We all have dreams. And we’re either actively pursuing them or letting them fade. A huge key to those dreams coming to fruition is faith. We have to trust and believe that God has got us at all times. Have faith that what you are doing or are going to do will not only change your life, but others around you. My big step of faith is this missions trip.
We are all called to pursue something greater than ourselves. How will you answer your dreams?
I would love to invite you on this journey with me. You may not be able to physically go but you can partner with me through prayer and by financially supporting me. This is possible by clicking the donate tab at the top of this post.
