The picture
above is probably my favorite picture. I
remember that evening looking out and really truly enjoying the simple, and yet
complex beauty of God’s creation. I like this picture because the scenery is beautiful
but also because there is a message that I am reminded of every time I look at
it. I am reminded that I am to always look forward to “always keep my eyes
focused on the author and perfector of our faith.” I am reminded that what lies
on the horizon is beautiful and inspiring.
You have
probably heard that when one door closes another one will open. Often times
when we think of this, we think of the act of the closing and opening of the
door not of our own free will. I think many times in life we find this true.
Out of our power and control a door will close and yet when we trust, another
one will open. Sometimes though we must close doors on our own and then kick
the next door down. I have found myself closing some doors recently. Not out of
spite or hate, but out of necessity, out of the need to “keep my eyes focused”
and to pursue something more beautiful. I have said goodbye to two areas of my life
that played such an important role in shaping my faith and my life over the
past few years. I have closed the door to my ministry at Trinity Baptist Church
and Camp Ridgecrest.
A wise friend
once told me that you should never jump out of a plane without a parachute.
Good words to live by. But he wasn’t literally talking about jumping out of a
plane. He was saying that when we are making decisions we shouldn’t take that
leap until we have that next step figured out. I have always grown up and
thought that you were supposed to have a plan. If we look at how many things we
plan out in our lives, you will see how this could happen. I remember going
into 9th grade, and having to do the “4 year plan”. Going into
college, you were expected to have a plan as to what classes you would take and
what the next 4 years would look like. Figuring out what ministry I was called
to, required a plan. And yet, as I seem to have closed the door to church staff
and camp, I seem to be jumping out of the plane without the parachute.
And yet, I’m ok
with that. This is the essence of faith; jumping out of the plane, hoping that the
parachute will open just at the right time. I’ve jumped out of the plane and I
don’t know how I’m going to land, and yet, I’m ok with it. I’m ok with it
because as much as I have grown over the past few years, I think it is time to
grow in a new area of ministry. I don’t know what this will look like, but I do
know that the parachute will open when it’s supposed to. I must have faith; I
have to believe it will. We can hope for a lot of things, but what if we simply
hope that Jesus will provide for us. What if we simply hope for peace and
direction in our lives? May we live a
life that requires us to jump out of the plane from time to time without a parachute
if only to trust that God will provide for us. May we learn to trust each and
every day knowing we may know all the steps but we know that when we fall or
stumble we will be picked back up. May God’s grace and mercies be made new to
us each day. Amen
