#JumpForIt
When I was younger, a Nike commercial truly inspired me. I
had to own a pair. When my mom purchased them for me, I was convinced that
those shoes would help me pivot, run, and JUMP like the athletes who wore them.
I put them on and commenced to running through the house jumping and extending
my reach to smack the top of everything.
Recently, my son was given his first pair of shoes. He can’t
walk or even JUMP. Nevertheless, he has some fancy kicks! The funny thing about
these shoes is that he owns a pair that at nearly forty years old I have never
owned! (side bar: teach your kids to hop now so that they can JUMP later) He
owns Jordans! A four month old with the JUMPman symbol on his feet…
2016 is a leap year and I believe that with enough focused
energy and the right foundation you will find yourself leaping to great heights.
#jumpforit
The Message version of Matthew 14:28-30 says, ”Peter,
suddenly bold, said, “Master, if it’s really you, call me to come to you on the
water.” He said, “Come ahead.” Jumping out of the boat, Peter walked on the
water to Jesus. But when he looked down at the waves churning beneath his feet,
he lost his nerve and started to sink. He cried, “Master, save me!””
The part that excites me most about this passage is that
Peter JUMPED out of the boat. In a place of complacency, common fear is
apparent. Despite the fact that misery loves company – someone has to have the
gumption to say, “I will do better than this!”
One man had the audacity to challenge his visibly uncomfortable reality
and leap into an uncertain future.
Jesus sees what we can’t see and will encourage us to go
where He has already made a way. Don’t you know that God is excited to see you
color the canvas of the dreams He outlined for you? You have the intestinal fortitude
to JUMP for it. You have the foundation to JUMP for it. How long will you slide your way through life with ifs and maybes? Jesus has already guaranteed it for you. JUMP for it!
We have a giant staircase in our home. My oldest child has
the ability, on his own, to easily get down the stairs. He will either walk the
steps or slide down on his bottom. But when I, his father, am there, he prefers
to JUMP into my arms. My son knows without
a shadow of doubt that his daddy will not only catch him but also carry him.
Your Heavenly Father hasn’t left you and He wouldn’t encourage you to jump
without being certain about safe landing and determined future. You could do it on your own, but it is more
expedient to JUMP with your Dad.
Hebrews 11:1 New King James Version
“Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the
evidence of things not seen.”
“Now” faith says, I don’t need to challenge what Christ has
told me. I’m going for it completely and not looking back!
My mom told me an interesting fact about the African Impala.
This powerful animal has the ability to leap distances of nearly 30 feet and
jump 10 feet. Yet, they are kept in enclosures with walls far shorter than
their jumping abilities. The reason the impalas never jump out of their
enclosures is because they are uncertain of their landing. They will not go
where they do not see. Even with their awesome ability - freedom lies right
beyond their own vision to achieve it.
God has given you a vision and although you cannot detail
every step of your future – the very fact that the same power that raised Jesus
from the dead lives in you should be enough spark to put a spring in your step.
If you stumble while walking, your Good Father will be there to help you back
up. With faith, you can jump for your unseen expectations and obtain the God
Ordained purpose for your life!
#JumpingROCKS
