If you have ever had the opportunity of being in a group development session then I am sure you have had the pleasure of doing the exercise called the trust fall. For me it is one of the most unpleasant experiences to have. I mean free falling backward into the arms of someone waiting to catch you, can be the most terrifying experience. The questions that go through your mind while you look ahead can just overtake your mind: will my partner catch me or will I fall? Is my partner strong enough to catch me? Do I trust this individual enough to catch me? The questions can be so daunting and overwhelming at times. Then you find yourself turning to your partner saying ” please catch me” or “please don’t let me fall”.
I have had the pleasure of doing this exercise on many occasions and I always find myself sizing up my partner at times. Assessing the stature and build of the person. Looking to see if there are any muscles present to possibly catch me. Assessing if the person is lanky, looking like they can’t even catch a fly. If based on my own assessment I don’t trust their ability or resume to catch me then it will be a difficult thing not to bend my knees and aim to fall on my buttocks. However if the person looks like they have the ability and they have a resume that substantiates this ability to catch something in free fall then I will gladly fall backward into the waiting arms of my partner.
This post regarding the trust fall is to discuss our ability to freely fall into the arms of the Lord. When we read The Word of God we are given His resume. We read His objectives, His abilities, His achievements and we learn about who He is. The word of God instructs us in Proverbs 3:5-6 that we should trust in the Lord with all our heart and lean not to our own understanding but in all our ways, we should acknowledge Him and He will direct our path.
“They that trust in the Lord shall be as mount Zion, which cannot be removed, but abideth for ever. As the mountains are round about Jerusalem, so the Lord is round about his people from henceforth even for ever (Psalm 125: 1-2).”
There are numerous Bible verses that I can reference which implore us to trust in the Lord Jesus, because His ways are not our ways and His thoughts are not our thoughts (Isa. 55: 8-9). No matter the process we go through He reminds us that passing through the waters, river and the fire He is present (Isa. 43:2). God never changes and He is true to His word, we can count on and know that His word is sure (Isa. 55:10-11).
We know what the Bible says about God’s abilities. However when we are instructed to stand before Him with our faces ahead, will we question His ability? will we hesitate to fall? or if we do fall, will we try to bend our knees just in case? Having that contingency in place, partially relying on our own failing abilities?
It is a beautiful thing to watch a trust fall that goes perfectly. When the person being caught just falls freely backward into the arms of the waiting partner. That is how we should be with Christ. Yes it may be difficult at times with the thoughts that go through our minds; Peter took his eyes off Jesus and started to sink for awhile but Jesus stretched out His arm and lifted him. Our falter won’t prevent God from catching us, however we should aim to always fall freely into His waiting arms every single time.
Yes the questions will most likely come when you are faced with the task of placing your life in God’s hands. However do not dwell on these doubt sowing questions, answer these questions with the word. What if God doesn’t work it out? And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them which are the called according to His purpose (Rom.8:28). Let us allow the word of God, the sword of the Spirit (Eph. 6:17) which is sharper than any two edged sword (Heb 4:12) to destroy these questions, and allow Jesus Christ to be the undefeated champion on the battleground of our minds.
“But they that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint (Isa.40:31).”
I know what it’s like to rely on your own strength and planning in order to catch yourself just in case your partner doesn’t. The truth is that God failing is never a possibility, and entertaining the thought and having a back up plan just in case He isn’t able to catch you, is entertaining unnecessary doubt and fear which will only hold you back. Let us seek to have that child like faith that Jesus encourages us to have in Matt. 18:3, for without faith it is impossible to please God (Heb 11:6). Don’t take my word for it:
“But Jesus beheld them, and said unto them, With men this is impossible; but with God all things are possible (Matt. 19:26).”
“For with God nothing shall be impossible (Luke 1:37).”
“Fear thou not; for I am with thee: be not dismayed; for I am thy God: I will strengthen thee; yea, I will help thee; yea, I will uphold thee with the right hand of my righteousness (Isa 41:10).”
“Wherefore, if God so clothe the grass of the field, which to day is, and to morrow is cast into the oven, shall he not much more clothe you, O ye of little faith? (Matt. 6:30)”
Go ahead: next time when you are faced with a challenge, prepare yourself to experience the beauty of a trust fall with the only wise God as your partner.
– Ashley #followerofJesusChrist
