I don’t jump.  I’ve told that to multiple people in multiple situations.  I sit back, observe, analyze, then make a wise decision that moves a collective group forward, together.  So I get really frustrated when people act in a manner opposite of wisdom and group harmony.  Basically, when people act foolishly and impulsively it irritates the heck out of me.  I don’t jump.

Then yesterday someone looked me directly in the eye and said:

“Jump!  Just jump.  What are you waiting for and why are you holding back?!!  Especially if God has called you to do it, JUMP!  Just jump.”  

A handful of years ago I declared a year of adventure and burst out of the box others had put me in.  I was taking baby jumps.  Lately, I feel like people, or even my own mindset and actions, have put me in another box.  Who says stop here or don’t go there?  Why am I doing things based on someone else’s actions or inactions? Why am I waiting for anyone’s approval?  I have been refocusing my energy and attention lately.  I don’t want to live in the “what if” or land of regrets.  I don’t want to be in any sort of box or only take baby jumps.

So today I took a few jumps.  They seemed big and scary two days ago.  Not so much today.  What was the fear that was holding me back?  What was the worst that could happen?  People say “no” so I go a different direction?

Confirmation came after I jumped.  The devotion that went with the lesson I was prepping told a story of a woman jumping off a cliff into a pool of water while vacationing in Hawaii.  She took a big bold risk and just jumped.  She just jumped.  The devotion and lesson went on to share how we now have the Holy Spirit in us, who gives us the power to act and move boldly.  And in that, we have the responsibility to utilize our life, our gifts, our resources boldly for God.  He’s saying with the power of the Holy Spirit He’s given us, JUST JUMP.

So this has been another learning step on the road to living a life of joy, redemption and blessing.  And leaving behind the fear, anxiety and shame of living life in a box.  I’m committing to jumping.  Besides, do you know the other thing God is good at?  Other than giving us that push to jump?  He’s a really good catcher.