God’s Spirit doesn’t make cowards out of us. The Spirit gives us power, love and self-control. II Timothy 1:7 (CEV)
I remember well the first time I climbed to the top of the high dive while swimming with friends at their swim club. They dared me to try it–and I couldn’t let them see how scared I was. Of the height. Of belly-flopping. Of hitting the bottom of the pool and never coming up again.
I knew how to swim, but I’d never gotten the hang of diving–so my fears weren’t entirely crazy. But that situation challenged me beyond what I thought I was capable of doing.
How about you? Have you ever been challenged like that? At work, at home, at school? With your health, your relationships, your hopes and dreams? Are your challenges obvious to the rest of the world–or are they something you keep between yourself and God?
Whatever those challenges might be, we know we aren’t alone in them. And that God hasn’t made us cowards but given us the Spirit of power, love and self-control to be able to face whatever comes our way.
I jumped off the high-dive and survived! Other people have much greater challenges than that–I’m thinking about this since I’ve been challenged to the ALS ice bucket challenge after the Blessing of the Animals on Oct. 4. It’s good fun for a good cause–please consider yourself to be doused or to donate! Either way, join us on the 4th! HAH