While at this park, Owen and Claire were playing on the swing set. These swings were probably a bit small for them as they were the "Baby" swings that had a full "drop in" seat with a belt on them. So because of that the kids felt extra secure in their swing. I was pushing them and they kept taunting me to push "higher and higher." So being a kid myself I decided to see how high they'd like to go. It ended with me giving them "underdogs" (Remember those from the old days... when you push the swing and then run underneath of them!!! Brought me back memories of elementary school) Well this is when the boy separates from the girl. Owen was loving it. He was squealing and urging me to see if he could go upside down in his swing! Claire on the other hand was a bit scared. She was laughing because Owen was laughing but I could tell from the look on her face - she was just a little afraid that the swing might just go all the way around! When I asked her if she was OK, she said, "Its fun, just a little scary."
There in the middle of this beautiful fall portrait, I felt God's gentle nudge prompting me and speaking directly to my heart. He was encouraging me to be more like this little girl. You see, I think God wants us all to be on the edge of our seat where there is a delicate balance between fear and fun. Unless we're a little fearful, we believe we're always in control. At least I do. I think there is an appropriate amount of fear that we are to have in order to realize that God is in control and He alone will see me through this situation. And that is where the fun comes in.
All too often in life, I've played it safe. I'm still prone to that today. I stay comfortably within the social circles I feel most "alike" with. My closest friends are strong Christians and as such there's not much of an opportunity to share the freshness of God's love with them.
Yet you see, just a few short hours before this revelation on the playground, I was serving in Church. I volunteer to assist people who need to talk or make a decision during the services. It is an amazing experience. Yet up to now, I've mostly assisted the other volunteers until I learn the hang of things. But you see, this Sunday was fall break with the schools in the area, and the other volunteers weren't there. It was just me. And during the response time, no one came out with a decision. "Whew!" I thought. "I escaped that one." Then just as I was about to shut the doors to the decision area, a young man came out. He was obviously disturbed and moved by the message. I quickly prayed to God, "I'm scared. What if he has real stuff that I don't know how to deal with? Oh why isn't' there another volunteer out here with me? Why?" As we talked and prayed, I realized what a joy it was just to listen. To listen, not with the intent to fix a problem or provide an answer, but just with the intent to show compassion for someone who was authentically worshipping the Lord. A broken heart and a contrite spirit is all God needs to reveal Himself, and this day, this young man was helping me realize that in my brokenness and in my fear, God was showing up.
So in the words of my 3 year old daughter... it was fun - just a little scary. But isn't that exactly where God wants us to be?
Stop playing it safe fellow Christians. Step out, be bold, ask the Lord to show up and give you His strength to serve. And know that He will. Unless we get out into the world, we will never shine God's light. Salt in the shaker is useless. Only when it is out of the shaker does it realize its real purpose. So go... get out of the shaker. Don't rely on your self to go "higher and higher." Let God give you a few underdogs and see just exactly how high you can go!
John 3:30 "He must become greater; I must become less."
