I remember the first time I ever jumped off a high dive. I was in seventh grade and was a camper at Lake Ann Baptist Camp up in the nether regions of Northern Michigan. Out on the lake they had several jumping off points. You could jump off of the dock, which was no big deal because it was only about a one-foot drop from the platform to the water. There was a low diving board, which was about six feet off the water, but still not too terribly intimidating. Then there was the big dog! It towered what seemed to be hundreds of feet in the air. In truth, it was only about twelve feet from the platform to the water, but hey, everything seems ginormous when you’re under 5-feet tall.
Several times I walked up a couple of steps only to climb back down after reconsidering the distance beneath me. I was terrified! I kept thinking of all of the things that could potentially go wrong. What if I couldn’t keep my body straight and I landed wrong on the water? How much would a belly-flop hurt from that height? Would my reputation ever recover if I cried like a baby during the descent? Most scenarios that played out in my mind ended with me either dying of blunt force trauma or public humiliation, but it appeared as if all of the kids who were accepting the risk and taking the plunge were having the best time of their lives.
After much personal reflection, and more than a little “encouragement” from my friends, I decided it was time to spread my wings and fly (or better stated, step off the edge and fall). I slowly climbed the steps to the top of that monumental tower of terror. I inched my way to the edge of the platform. I sprung into the air. And, I began my rapid decent into the abyss below. I inhaled the deepest breath I could and took what I was sure would be my last look around at planet earth. I hit the water and low and behold I was still alive. I swam to the top to find all of my friends cheering and shouting. The adrenaline continued rushing through my body and I realized, it was the coolest thing I had ever done (I was 11. My life experiences were extremely limited). If I hadn’t pushed my fear to the side I would have missed an incredible experience.
The call of Christ rarely comes with assurances of certainty and safety. Christ consistently calls those who would follow Him to step into the unknown. The life of Peter is a prime example. Christ called Peter to leave the security of his career to become His disciple. Christ called Peter to step out of the boat onto the stormy sea. Christ called Peter to follow Him to his own death. There is risk inherent in the call, but there is also reward. Peter chose to step out in faith and as a result he experienced the life that Christ offers in unbelievable ways. That first step was a doozy, but it was more than worth it.
So many times in life, we allow fear of the unknown, our misguided perceptions, or complacency to keep us from some pretty amazing experiences. These are experiences that have the potential to change our lives and the lives of those around us. They are opportunities for God to stretch us and mold us into the people He wants us to become. These experiences aren’t always easy. They almost always require us to have a reasonable degree of faith that God indeed has a plan and will use our efforts for our good and His glory. God has called us to do some amazing things. Are we willing to step into the unknown and take the plunge?
