Flames are leaping into the room through the doorway behind you, there is no where else to go but the open window before you. You lean out and look down to the people on the ground, two stories below. You hear someone yelling “Jump, and I’ll catch you!” You glance behind you to check again if there is any other way, but it’s just a wall of flames. You feel your feet mechanically climbing up to the window sill; you’re ready to take the leap; you feel yourself falling… and then suddenly, you come to a stop. You took the jump but you didn’t let go, your hands are still tightly clenched over the window sill. You can’t let go. Your mind starts to fill with doubts. What if they don’t catch me? What if I die? Would it have been safer to stay in the room and hope for some easier, safer rescue plan?
Isaiah 43:2 ~ “When thou passest through the waters, I will be with thee; and through the rivers, they shall not overflow thee: when thou walkest through the fire, thou shalt not be burned; neither shall the flame kindle upon thee.”
This is the story of life.
The world is a burning building, and Jesus is calling for us to jump into the safety of His arms. Telling us to trust Him because He is there to catch us. The problem is, we don’t trust him enough to let go.
When you go to, Jesus you have to let go all the way. You cannot enjoy the safety of perfect fellowship with him if you are still grasping the windowsill.
Full surrender is never easy, it means letting go of everything that makes us feel safe and comfortable in life. All those things we go to for fulfillment must be released in order for us to become truly fulfilled in Christ. Talk about stepping out of your comfort zone! Letting go of everything our flesh is telling us we need to be happy is no easy task – often we hang between the world and Jesus waiting and pondering if there is a way to compromise and still be safe.
Hebrews 10:23 ~ “Let us hold fast the profession of our faith without wavering; (for he is faithful that promised;)”
Hebrews 11:1 ~ “Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.”
Salvation is not based on works; it’s all about faith. But how much is our faith worth if we are always sitting around thinking up a plan B before we try plan A (because God might not come through for us this time). Faith is the evidence of things not seen. It’s hard because our flesh wants to see the outcome before we jump into something. But faith is taking the leap without knowing the outcome and trusting that Jesus will do exactly what he said he would do. God, in his love and mercy has given us a guide book full of examples of all the times he came through for his children. Again and again throughout scripture we see God making promises, and no matter what he always keeps those promises.
Psalm 118:8~ “It is better to trust in the LORD than to put confidence in man.”
Are you still clinging to the windowsill?
Are you deciding whether you need a plan B? Just let go. Allow yourself to fall into the arms of Jesus. When you find yourself facing a situation you don’t think you can handle alone, you’re right! You can’t handle it alone, so don’t climb back up to that windowsill! Turn to Jesus, trust him, and know that he will work every situation out for the good of those that love him. When we can’t see the outcome, he can. Keep running the race with patience and in the end you will see the beautiful masterpiece that God intended for your life to be. Let Jesus show you who he is and what he can do in and through you.
Proverbs 3:56 ~ “Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.”
By: Bethany Stelzl
Photo Credit: Flickr
