by Michelle Welch
“I trust in the mercy of God for ever and ever.”
Psalm 52:8 (KJV)
We took the dogs out to the lake this weekend. Elly is the dog of a friend and Rotor is our foster failure. Elly shows great potential as a dock dog, a fly ball competitor, and a frisbee dog. Rotor shows promise as a doer of anything she isn’t supposed to be doing. (But we love her all the same.) Without looking back, when we told Elly to jump, she leapt out over the water in a graceful arc, trusting us in what we were asking her to do. (Rotor would only do it if Elly did it first.)
One of the first things involved in training a dock dog (a dog that will jump great distances off of a dock) is to get them to leap blindly off of the end of a dock. Obviously, a love of the water is required as well as great trust in their owners. Elly and Rotor have to believe we will never ask them to do anything that would bring them harm. They also learn there will be a reward for success such as their favorite tennis ball or a tasty treat.
I thought of this today as I pondered some things God has asked me to do in this life. My dogs have to trust me completely. How is this trust similar to what our Abba asks of us? He gives us a command which we are to follow, often times not knowing what is in front of us. Is the water deep? Will it be cold? Will there be a reward? If I get in over my head will there be someone on the shore to rescue me? Who will hold the towel to dry me off when I get back? Do I trust Him completely?
We have faith He would never ask anything of us that would hurt us. Deep inside we know He is there but sometimes we get to the edge of the dock and skid to a halt, afraid that He won’t follow through on His promise. We look out into the water, seeing everyone else having a great time yet come up with all kinds of excuses. I can’t swim. My hair can’t get wet. I have my contacts in. The water is dirty.
I was reminded today that He doesn’t ask us why we can’t do it. He just asks us to do it. We must make that leap. Trust He will follow through. Know He will never let us drown. Know He has given us earthly lifeguards who are forever ready to pull us to safety if we falter.
Father please help us to trust You as we take those leaps of faith. Give us uncommon courage to do what you would have us do. We know the water might be cold and perhaps we won’t be able to see the bottom. But we must have faith You know exactly how far we will jump and what our reward will be. (But if you could reward me with chocolate instead of a soggy tennis ball, I would greatly appreciate it.) If we are not called to make the leap Father God, perhaps we have been called to be the lifeguard, the protector, the person standing on the shore whose guidance is necessary. Perhaps we are the person holding the towel. For in every situation there are those who leap, those who guide, and those who support. Whichever circumstance You have called us to…let us step out in perfect faith. In the Name of Christ Jesus, Amen.
Copyright © 2013, Michelle Welch, team member of Breath Of Life Women’s Ministries.
Parts of this were originally published 8/16/2011.
Photography by Michelle Welch, all rights reserved.
Scripture taken from the King James Version.
