Picture this…

Photo by Acrylic Dreams

You are standing at the edge of a large tree limb.  It’s been a long, hard climb to get up to this point and from the ground, the limb looked weak and shaky.  Yet you knew this is where God has been leading you to, so you kept climbing… sometimes holding on by just your fingernails… but slowly and steadily, you got up here.

Now, you stand at the edge of the limb with it reaching out straight in front of you.  On either side of you, the drop is steep and scary.  Behind you is the past – everything you’ve been through to get to this point.  And in front of you… is God.  He is standing at the opposite end of the limb, gazing at you with love in His eyes and His right hand outstretched to you.  He is asking you to step forward, to take His hand and to keep your eyes focused on Him.

You take one hesitant step forward and start to look to either side, feeling afraid, but God reminds you to just look straight ahead.  You take another step and are tempted to look back behind you, but again, He reminds you to just focus on Him.  You continue to walk forward, gaining more confidence with each step and suddenly, you realize something surprising…

The limb is not weak or shaky after all.  It is actually sturdy and strong.  It easily supports your weight and from up here, you can see the horizon.  You can see everything that God has planned for you and it is beautiful.  His hand holds yours tightly and you are safe, secure.  Free to be the person that you were created to be.

“He lifted me out of the slimy pit, out of the mud and mire; he set my feet on a rock and gave me a firm place to stand.” -Psalm 40:2 (NIV)

Following God is not always an easy road.  Sometimes (or even most times), it requires you to take a leap of faith and go out on a limb with nothing but trust and faith.  But if you dare to do it…  He will give you a firm place to stand.

So, the next time you find yourself worrying about the shaky limb, looking at the frightening circumstances around you or glancing back at the past… STOP.

Keep your eyes on Him, grasp His hand and step out… He won’t let you fall.