Sunday, January 13, 2008

Want to try this.....with a net?




I came across this picture today, and it made me say the words, "NO WAY" out loud. My friend who was nearby, came over to my laptop to see what my overreaction was all about. I said, "You would never EVER get me to do that." She looked at me like I was crazy. "Well, duh," she replied. "Who would expect you to do that?"

Me. Crazy little perfectinist, over-achieving me. That's it. I got to thinking about this picture more and more. Eventually, I wondered if there was a net anywhere beneath the tightrope walker. If there was a net, how would that change my reaction to the picture? Here's where my imagination took me...

Some Random Stranger: Hey, Michelle. Want to get across?
Me: No, thanks. Tempting, but I'd rather not die today. Wedding in a few months...pretty excited about that. You understand, I'm sure.
Stranger: Come on, there's a net. You know you can make it to the other side when there's a net beneath you.
Me: So you just want me to get across...no matter how I get there?
Stranger: Yeah. Whatever it takes to get to the other side.

Boldly, I grabbed the rope with my hands to check the stability. Not exactly ground material, if you know what I'm saying. Making a final decision of faith, I place my other hand on the rope and leap from the building...gripping the rope with both hands. Casually, I allowed myself to drop to the net below. Clinging to the net, I crawled on my hands and knees to get to the other side. Satisfied, I stood up. I made it to the other side...without the stress of trying to balance something I wasn't capable of doing (and without a hair out of place, might I add!)

If you're confused, stay with me for a few more paragraphs and let me explain. Any other Type A Perfectionist/Control Freaks out there? Girl, I'm with you. Been there. Done that. If there's a support group somewhere, I should be president. I really struggle with expecting myself to be perfect...which is something that I know is impossible. As ridiculous as it would sound for me to expect myself to be able to walk a tightrope without training or experience, it is every bit as pointless to expect myself to be perfect.

But here's where this gets good. We have a net. His name is Jesus. He wants you to cling to him, and he will help you get across the obstacles that you face in life. He knows that you don't know how to handle everything that comes your way, but He does. He is aware that you aren't capable in your own strength and knowledge to accomplish what He can, but He wants you use you to bring glory to Him.

So when you come across the next obstacle in your life, don't focus on the impossible task in front of you. Cling to Jesus, and He will guide you through unharmed.

1 comment:

Heather said...

Thanks for the reminder Michelle:)

Esther 4:14b

"And who knows but that you have come to royal position for such a time as this?"