Learning To Free Fall

     I’ve never Bungee Jumped, Sky Dived, or Parachuted out of a flying object. I imagine it takes quite a bit of courage and a little bit of crazy to do any of them. In my right mind, I don’t plan on trying any of them. I am learning however to free fall. God is teaching me how to take bigger leaps of faith and trust him with each fall. I think it’s something we all should give a try regardless of our fears of falling flat on our face.

     The company Nike does have one thing right about life. Sometimes you have to “Just Do It.” Many times we talk a lot about our faith, but we exhibit very little. We tell others how we have to turn to God, follow God, and trust God with everything. Then, we walk out the door and plan a life that feels safe. We love to stay where we feel comfortable and think we’re in control. I believe God is calling each of us to free fall into His arms. Not halfway, but totally. I believe God wants us to follow him wholeheartedly, regardless of the odds in front of us or how comfortable we may feel about the situation.

    When Jesus called his early disciples he didn’t ask them to start going to church. He didn’t ask them to fit him somewhere in their busy schedules. He didn’t ask them to conveniently follow. No, he asked them to do the same thing he ask each of us to do today. Leave everything and follow him. This doesn’t mean you have to quit work, leave your family, or become a Monk or Nun. God is calling you to surrender everything to Him. The past, the present, and the future belong to Him. Don’t worry about how things are going to work out, how you will pay the bills, and who will approve.

     A huge key to free falling into God’s arms is learning to trust him with EVERYTHING. I know what’s it’s like to surrender my entire vocation over to God. I know what it’s like to follow God eighteen hours away from home and trust him fully to pay my bills. I know what it’s like to feel completely unqualified and yet trust God to qualify me. I know what’s it’s like to head in a direction that brings many earthly critics, but ushers God favor into my life like never before. I know what it’s like to put aside all my dreams and totally seek God’s dreams for my life.

     You see, the only thing keeping you from free falling into God’s arms is YOU. You can’t keep calling the shots. You can’t go by what you see, but must walk by faith. You can’t keep fighting for control, but have to give God total control of your life. Free falling into God’s hands is so liberating. It moves you from accepting the status quo to trusting God for the impossible. It takes you from merely talking about your faith to living it out. It frees you to live as you wake up each day only to discover another amazing God-made day. The only way to get there is to step out of your comfort zone, get out of God’s way, and allow God to totally lead your life from this day forward.

“Then Jesus said to the crowd, “If any of you wants to be my follower, you must turn from your selfish ways, take up your cross daily, and follow me. – Luke 9:23 (NLT)

“The Lord says, “I will guide you along the best pathway for your life. I will advise you and watch over you.” – Psalm 32:8 (NLT)

*Pastor Craig is the Lead Pastor of Refuge Church, which meets Sundays 10:30a.m. @ the Colleton Recreation Center (280 Recreation Lane, Walterboro, SC 9488). Come as you are, never leave the same!