Jump Anyway (a five minute friday)

My Five Minute Friday on: Jump

Just jump!

I've heard that nudge before. A familiar voice that beckons me to confront fear.

It happened the other night when the man asked if anyone had any questions and I raised my hand and spoke shaky words into the microphone. I didn't want to do it, but that's why I did.

Someone told me recently that they see me as very confident. And as flattering as that was, I didn't feel like it was true. Because I often feel so terribly inadequate.

Confidence can look like surety. But to be honest, I'm rarely sure of myself.

Maybe the idea of confidence is less about being sure of myself and more about finding the courage to jump.

I want my kids to be jumpers. Now my daughter has jumping down, but her style is more about jumping first and asking questions later. And my son, well, he observes, waits, and if possible, lets a few other people jump first just to make sure it's safe. Whatever works, I guess.

I know when I'm supposed to jump and when I'm not. Because fear calls me out. He tells me I shouldn't do it — can't do it. And he tempts me with safety and comfort. And makes me think that not jumping is better for everyone.

But I've come to hear a different voice. The One that nudges me to jump anyway. As my feet dangle on the edge of that opportunity to jump, He asks me,

Are you going to regret not jumping?

How often the answer is yes!

Yet how lovingly He gives me the strength I need, not to wait until the fear is gone, but to courageously jump despite it — no regrets.

Linking today with Lisa-Jo…