When You Want to Live Bold But Are Afraid - Sharon Jaynes
I was sitting on the balcony of a condominium at the beach with my computer in my lap. In the background I listened to the excited squeals and splashes as children played in the swimming pool below.
One particular little girl caught my attention. She appeared to be about six years old and wore bright yellow water wings wrapped around her arms like blood pressure cuffs. As she stood on the side of the pool nervously flapping her arms, her daddy was poised in waist-deep water with his arms outstretched.
“Come on, honey, you can do it,” he coached. “Go ahead and jump. I’m right here.”
“But I’m scared,” she said, whining and flapping. “You might not catch me.”
“Don’t be afraid. I’m right here.”
“But you might move!”
“I’m not going to move. I’m not going to let anything happen to you,” he assured her.
This bantering went on for at least fifteen minutes. I was amazed at the father’s patience and persistence. But finally, she jumped! Applause went up all around the pool! By the end of the morning, the little girl was swimming like a minnow and making her way across the once seemingly treacherous waters.
Then God began to speak to my heart. Sharon, sometimes you’re that little girl. And suddenly I began to see myself standing on the edge of that pool with my Heavenly Father beckoning me to jump.
Come on, honey, you can do it, He coaxes. Go ahead and jump. I’m right here.
But I’m scared,” I cry. “You might not catch me.
Don’t be afraid. I’m right here.
But You might move!
I’m not going to move. I’m not going to let anything happen to you, He assures me.
Just as God said to Joshua, He says to me and to you: Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go. (Joshua 1:9 NIV)
So here’s what I’ve decided to do. When God calls me to dare greatly—I’m going to jump in with both feet, but never let go of His hand.
I hope you will too.
Leave a comment and tell me what you need to let go of in order to live bold. For every 100 comments I’ll randomly pick one name and send a FREE copy of Take Hold of the Faith You Long For.
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