We’d promised my nephews we’d take them swimming to this community pool in Crystal, a suburb near our home. They were looking forward to it and had a little chant:“Cry-stal Po-ol, Cry-stal po-ol, Cry-stal po-ol”.
They were excited! It was all they could talk about. When we got there they told us the youngest (Elijah-he’s 4) couldn’t go on the water slide alone, but Cam could (he’s 7). This was fine with Elijah.
We got out to the pool and swam briefly before Cam was climbing the stairs to the slide. They had a regular slide for the little kids, one like a backyard swing set type. Elijah went down that one but wanted someone at the bottom to catch him. He quickly got tired of it and went to the shallow area to splash, play and swim.
Cam was busy going down the big slide over and over. I went down the slide and occasionally I went over to talk to Elijah, play with him and then went back to the slides. My friend, stayed with Elijah and played with him. There were two water slides, so Cam and I were racing to see who could get to the bottom first. We would wave over to my friend and Elijah to try to get them to come and join the fun. Elijah was afraid; my friend eventually coaxed Elijah to come over and watch us slide. They were the judges to see who came out of the chute first, me or Cam. There is a bridge over the bottom end of the chutes, and they could see us going by on one of the curves of the slide and then a few seconds later come flying out of the chute. I must admit–it was really fun!
We finally got Elijah to try it and to his credit he got to the top of the stairs, looked afraid, but said he was ready. My friend and Elijah went down one chute and Cam, and I went down the other one. The kids would lay on top of us as we went down. My friend sat up the first time with Elijah because then you go slower. Cam and I were at the bottom of the chute, in the pool, waiting for them. When they got to the bottom, we were clapping and cheering and they were all smiles! Elijah couldn’t wait to get up the stairs and go again. We must have gone down the slides 30 times.
I think Elijah is like many Christians are. Jesus says Come with Me. There’s nothing to fear, I will be with you and hold you through the entire experience. You will discover it’s not as you think and you will find joy.
Sometimes we sit on the sidelines and watch people serve and obey God, walking with Jesus every step of the way. We see the joy on their faces and the thrill that ministry and serving gives them in their lives, and yet we’re afraid to climb the steps. We watch on the side of the pool as the Holy Spirit nudges us. Then we might get ready for a risk and go down the small slide first. Eventually we go to the bridge and watch as the Holy Spirit nudges us again. We pray, Jesus assures us He will be right there every second of the trip and still we hesitate. Finally, we climb the stairs, still afraid, and let Jesus hold us as we take the trip down the slide.
And at the bottom, we find that we loved it, it was not what we thought it would be at all! We found joy and relaxation, in fact serving in a ministry with and for Jesus can be thrilling! There is a real satisfaction, and we feel closer to Jesus because we trusted, obeyed and stepped out. Now, we find we can’t wait to serve Him again. We climb those steps and this time; we lay down on Jesus’ chest and take a bigger risk as He lays flat. We find a larger thrill and more joy! Jesus may ask us to do things that stretch us, but He will never ask us to do them without Him
Since God assured us, “I’ll never let you down, never walk off and leave you,” we can boldly quote, God is there, ready to help; I’m fearless no matter what. Who or what can get to me?
Hebrews 13:5b MSG
As I was with Moses, so I will be with you, I will not fail you or forsake you. Joshua 1:5
I don’t know about you, but I’m going to try to stay off the sidelines and get in the action. Life with Jesus is more satisfying and rewarding than I ever guessed. Serving Him and serving others brings joy into my life. When another person finds victory in their life or meets Jesus for the first time all of heaven rejoices! Step out and be part of the rejoicing!
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