Playing with my grandkids on the beach is an excise in wonder and trust. Some are more timid about the crashing waves and prefer to play safely in the sand, but others are more daring and prefer to fling themselves into the waves. They seem fearless in believing their Poppa will catch them when they are knocked down and keep them from being carried out to sea. It reminds me of a story from Henri Nouwen that I recently shared with you at the end of a sermon a few Sundays ago.
In one of his books, he tells about the lesson of trust he learned from a great trapeze artist. The acrobat said, “The flyer does nothing and the catcher does everything. I have simply to reach out my arms and hands and wait for him to catch me and pull me safely over the apron.” The flyer must trust, with outstretched arms, that his catcher will be there for him.
In the great trapeze act of salvation, God is the catcher, and we are the flyers. We trust. Period. We rely solely upon God’s ability to catch us. As we do trust him, a wonderful thing happens: we fly! Your Father has never dropped anyone. He will not drop you. His grip is sturdy, and his hands are open. Place yourself entirely in his care. As you do, you will find it is possible—yes, possible—to be anxious for nothing.
Sometimes waves knock us down and fear threatens to overtake us, but we can always trust in the one who is over us all and tells us “I got you!”
Do not be afraid. This Sunday our guest speaker Tina Yates will share a story about the wind and waves of a storm and where Jesus is in the midst. (Matthew 14: 22-34). Instead of always playing it safe on the beach, I believe God calls us at times to fling ourselves into those waves and dare to trust in Jesus. My kids think it’s fun.
Come and see….
Pastor Rob
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