Taking the Plunge

The last thing I thought...you know, before I hit the water? There's no turning back. You know what I'm talking about. That weird feeling of falling. The one where you aren't sure what you're going to land in? Let me tell you...it took some prodding. Everyone already in there said it felt great...but me? Why should I join them? It was nice and warm outside. I was comfortable...kinda. I mean...it was sunny. I wasn't sweating; not that much, at least. They did look comfortable. They'd been there for awhile, though! How could I ever be like that? It took so much patience and a heck of a lot of time. I heard it'd be painful. Like being desensitized. First, your body would become numb, then you'd feel everything on a different level. That can't be healthy, right? That can't be normal, RIGHT?

That poetic little number was my account of jumping in the pool yesterday. Man, it was freezing. I stood on the edge of the pool sweating because of the heat wishing for something cool, seeing it right in front of me and still standing on the edge of the pool. That's how we are, isn't it? We're in the heat of the moment...in the middle of burning up in our sin. We see the love of Christ right there. Close enough to stick your toe in and feel how refreshing His love is. Close enough to see how pure and deep and wide His love is. Close enough to jump right into His arms and feel relief. Why don't we?

I think, for me, it's a pride thing. I wanna be in charge. It's my life, right? Wrong. I want to know what other people think about me. What do they think I'm characterized by? Am I even someone they'd choose to accept the challenge at Banquet next week? Was I even in the running? Do they see me as a godly leader, or do I just blend in with everyone else? I don't wanna keep being a spiritual wallflower. I know this blog reaches a lot of people...but I should be actively pursuing my faith in EVERY area - not just this one. Not just the one I'm good at. It's not how God wants me to be. He wants me to jump into His love uninhibited by anything around me. He wants me to see that once I jump, there's no going back. You can't stop yourself in midair and get back on the ledge. He made His love so wonderful and so final that you'll never want to leave. But we do, don't we? We see something that looks shiny and cool outside of His love and we get out. We're still soaked in His love, but the longer we stay out, the more we dry up. We can't ever be separated from God's love, but we're not much good to anyone else who is parched. They need a big wet hug from someone drenched in God's love, and if you're not that person, who's the next person they'll come across? Will they ever come across someone else? Are you willing to risk their SOUL so you can do what you want to do rather than what God wants for you?

The other part of God's love is that it may hurt you at first. Not in the physical pain sort of way...but being purified by fire means burning off everything not of God. And that hurts, man! It took me YEARS to get used to the fact that God's love isn't just flowers and sausages! It's hard! God has a different, better, more wonderful plan for you than you could ever dream up yourself. It'll hurt at first...but once you've been purified, He'll make you more sensitive to the things He wants to tell you. You'll be able to hear His voice more clearly once He's cleaned all the gunk out of your ears. We're not called to be normal or content with the world in its current state...or any state, now that I think about it. We're supposed to have our minds set on eternity, which isn't easy. God wants us to be different because He was different. The most radical person to walk the earth. Imagine if you could be that rad. Well...He wants you to be. So why not?

So, even though I probably won't be chosen to accept the Junior challenge next Friday, maybe I can give you one. Are you listening? Good. Take my hand. We'll jump in together. I'm warning you...we can't go back. We may get a little sidetracked, but we'll be okay. This isn't going to be easy, okay? But God will get us through...oh, and it'll feel so good to be drenched in His love, huh? Refreshing.