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.

A NEW Theme Song...Miss Dependent

Let's get real here. Sometimes, it's really fun to drive down the road singing good ole "Girl Power" tunes. You know what I'm talking about...basically anything by Destiny's Child or Ashlee Simpson. (FYI - for some awesome Christian girl tunes, check out http://www.barlowgirl.com and listen to "The Anthem.") Not to mention, a personal favorite - "Miss Independent" by the one of two REAL American Idols, Kelly Clarkson (and the other being Carrie Underwood, of course).

No matter how much fun it may be, sometimes, it's a dangerous concept to even joke about being able to do everything on our own power. I know I can't do anything without God. But WITH God, my options are limitless if I stop trying to do it on my power and rely on His power. It's taken me every bit of 22 years to realize that, and I still struggle with it. I usually have to try it my way, fail, and THEN turn to God, which is obviously where I should have started to save time, stress, etc.

This is exactly opposite of what the world deems as success. Imagine if your new boss said, "In order to work effectively here, I need you to completely depend on me for everything and not do anything on your own." Not likely. But imagine what would happen if Jesus had gone with the definitions of worldly sucess for hiring his disciples. Perhaps it would have even looked a little something like this...

Memo
To: Jesus, Son of Joseph
The Woodcrafter’s Carpenter Shop
Nazareth 25922
From: Jordan Management Company
Re: Candidates for Management

Thank you for submitting the resumes of the twelve men you have picked for managerial positions in your new organization. All of them have now taken our battery of tests, and we have not only run the results through our computers, but also arranged personal interviews for each of them with our psychologist and vocation aptitude consultant.

It is the opinion of the staff that most of your nominees are lacking in background, education and vocation aptitude for the type of enterprise you are undertaking. They do not have the team concept. We would recommend that you continue your search for persons of experience in managerial ability and proven capacity.

We have summarized the findings of your study below:

Simon Peter is emotional, unstable and given to fits of temper. Andrew has absolutely no quality of leadership. The two brothers, James and John, the sons of Zebedee, place personal interests above Company loyalty. Thomas demonstrates a questioning attitude that would tend to undermine morale. We believe it is our duty to tell you that Matthew has been black-listed by the Greater Jerusalem Better Business Bureau. James, the son of Alphaeus, and Thaddeus definitely have radical leanings. Additionally, they both registered high scores on the manic depressive scale.

However, one of the candidates shows great potential. He’s a man of ability and resourcefulness; he is a great networker; has a keen business mind; and has strong contacts in influential circles. He’s highly motivated, very ambitious and adept with financial matters. We recommend Judas Iscariot as your Controller and Chief Operating Officer. All the other profiles are self-explanatory.

We wish you the utmost success in your new venture.

From the world's perspective, Judas, the one who betrayed our Savior, showed the most potential. The rest of the disciples that were thought of as "uneducated nobodies" were the ones that continued God's work. God wants to use people that will bring Him glory and not be focused on personal gain. When God chooses to use people that you doesn't expect, the only possible explanation for their good works is that He is living in them.

So don't get caught up in trying to be successful in this world. It can lead to too many dangers. But that is NOT AN EXCUSE TO BE LAZY. Let God be successful through you. Pray about being open and willing to God's plan for your life. Ask Him to challenge you and use you in a way that will bring Him glory. Then, get ready. You're in for an exciting ride.

Matthew 19:26

"But Jesus looked at them and said to them, “With men this is impossible,

but with God all things are possible.”