Today is jump week in my riding lesson, which means me overcoming the fear of falling off my horse and then jumping over objects that one would normally avoid and go around.
The thing about jumping, which is described as pushing oneself off a surface and into the air, is that there’s a certain amount of courage needed to trust that as you jump into the air on the back of a horse that you are going to firstly clear the jump and secondly land safely. Fortunately I am happy to report that today I did both.
Life I think is a bit like jumping. There comes a time where we’re faced with a new opportunity or challenge and we can either back off and go back the way we came; proceed but take the long way round or go for it and take a leap of faith and jump!
Jumping however takes preparation. My riding coach trains us consistently, week after week building us up to jumping by strengthening our muscles, control, balance and confidence to enable us to jump and stay on.
Likewise when we take a leap and “jump” in any area of life there will always be a preparation process before hand for us to successfully be able to embrace that opportunity. We will have to “push ourselves” in some area to be able to make the jump and land safely on the other side. Without preparation and the process we will likely either freak out at the enormity of what is in front of us, smash into things or injure ourselves or others as we leap because we just aren’t ready.
Today I want to encourage you not to shy away from the “jumps” in your own life. If you can see them up ahead start to prepare now. Do the work to strengthen yourself, to face your fears and to build some skills, faith muscles and confidence so you can take that “leap of faith.” It could come in the form of a new opportunity, taking the chance of entering into a relationship or being open to one, a business opportunity, study, following after a dream or whatever it is that you have in your heart and future.
Jumping is scary; it’s going to push you, but it also let’s us know we are alive, that we can do hard things and that God is always right along side us taking the jump with us and helping us to land safely on the other side.
“Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.”(Isaiah 41:10)
‘For God will never give you the spirit of fear, but the Holy Spirit will give you mighty power, love, and self control.”(2 Timothy 1:7 TPT)
Prayer: Lord please help me to be brave enough to take the leap and jump when the opportunity is in front of me and it is the right way to go. Please strengthen me in the areas where I may not be strong and continue to teach and guide me in the way I should go. In Jesus name Amen.
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