Picture this. A young man walks through the dusty streets of a small town. He stands a little taller than the rest. His stride is calm and confident as he makes his way through the bustling crowds of people. He has everything he could ever want. Power, wealth, position, and good health are his. He has followed all the rules since boyhood and has done many good things of which he is proud. There is nothing that can stop him. Except maybe a conversation with the Teacher.
You see, he wanted eternal life. This is good. However, he wanted this on his own terms. This is where it gets difficult. To enter the Kingdom of Heaven, you must do what the Father tells you to do. The man understands this and is willing.
The Teacher speaks. You must not murder, steal, or lie. You must love others. The man thought this all was very good.
Then the Teacher told the man that he must give away everything. Those words had the effect of ice cold water poured down his spine. He must give away all his possessions to the poor, so that his wealth would be in heaven. If he could let go of those things, then he could lay hold of the Kingdom of Heaven. The young man was deflated. It was as if all the air just left his body, leaving him depleted and unmoving. This was the one thing he did not want to hear. So he left and did not come back.
How often do we hold onto things that keep us from fully living and fully trusting? It could be good things that are dear to us like family, friends and ministry. It could be things like money, power, and position. It could be something simple like eating, reading, or dating. But whether it’s a relationship or an addiction, you must let go of that which has become your captor, things you are holding onto and keep you from embracing the Kingdom. What keeps you stuck, trapped, immobile, fearful, angry or depressed? This is your mud puddle. What keeps you from fully trusting because it makes you feel comfortable, safe and secure? What are you trusting and holding onto more than you are trusting and holding onto Jesus. This is what keeps you from true freedom. This is your cliff. Until Jesus is enough, you will be forced to set up camp here. This is a dangerous place to dwell.
God is calling you to step forward. God is saying to you, precious daughter and precious son, to trust Him. Be brave. Jump. Leap off your cliff in belief. There is only one requirement and that is desperation. Are you fed up with your mud puddle? Are you in urgent need of freedom from your cliff? How much do you need Jesus? Is He enough for you? Is your faith reckless enough to dive into the depths of His love?
Then do it. Believe. This is your moment. Today is your day to believe. Leave behind the chains that hold you captive, the bonds of comfort, the barricade of fear. Leap for freedom. He has already set you free. Embrace your freedom. Jump for love. It’s all about love. That is what the abyss is below the cliff. It is love. So free-fall through His chasm of love.
In the exhilaration of free-fall, there is peace, there is wonder, and there is relief. There is great joy when you leap and find your True Love waiting with outstretched arms. When you free-fall into your Father’s arms you will land hard in undeniable freedom and uncontained whimsy. You will find that He is enough. He will laugh with you, He will cry with you, He will take you by the hand and show you His Kingdom. You will fall deeply in love and just maybe you will want to free-fall again.
You see, he wanted eternal life. This is good. However, he wanted this on his own terms. This is where it gets difficult. To enter the Kingdom of Heaven, you must do what the Father tells you to do. The man understands this and is willing.
The Teacher speaks. You must not murder, steal, or lie. You must love others. The man thought this all was very good.
Then the Teacher told the man that he must give away everything. Those words had the effect of ice cold water poured down his spine. He must give away all his possessions to the poor, so that his wealth would be in heaven. If he could let go of those things, then he could lay hold of the Kingdom of Heaven. The young man was deflated. It was as if all the air just left his body, leaving him depleted and unmoving. This was the one thing he did not want to hear. So he left and did not come back.
How often do we hold onto things that keep us from fully living and fully trusting? It could be good things that are dear to us like family, friends and ministry. It could be things like money, power, and position. It could be something simple like eating, reading, or dating. But whether it’s a relationship or an addiction, you must let go of that which has become your captor, things you are holding onto and keep you from embracing the Kingdom. What keeps you stuck, trapped, immobile, fearful, angry or depressed? This is your mud puddle. What keeps you from fully trusting because it makes you feel comfortable, safe and secure? What are you trusting and holding onto more than you are trusting and holding onto Jesus. This is what keeps you from true freedom. This is your cliff. Until Jesus is enough, you will be forced to set up camp here. This is a dangerous place to dwell.
God is calling you to step forward. God is saying to you, precious daughter and precious son, to trust Him. Be brave. Jump. Leap off your cliff in belief. There is only one requirement and that is desperation. Are you fed up with your mud puddle? Are you in urgent need of freedom from your cliff? How much do you need Jesus? Is He enough for you? Is your faith reckless enough to dive into the depths of His love?
Then do it. Believe. This is your moment. Today is your day to believe. Leave behind the chains that hold you captive, the bonds of comfort, the barricade of fear. Leap for freedom. He has already set you free. Embrace your freedom. Jump for love. It’s all about love. That is what the abyss is below the cliff. It is love. So free-fall through His chasm of love.
In the exhilaration of free-fall, there is peace, there is wonder, and there is relief. There is great joy when you leap and find your True Love waiting with outstretched arms. When you free-fall into your Father’s arms you will land hard in undeniable freedom and uncontained whimsy. You will find that He is enough. He will laugh with you, He will cry with you, He will take you by the hand and show you His Kingdom. You will fall deeply in love and just maybe you will want to free-fall again.