A Leap of Faith

Psalm 52:8 ".....I trust in the mercy of God for ever and ever." KJV

We took the dogs out to the lake this weekend. Elly is youngest daughter's family dog and Rotor is our foster failure. Elly shows great potential as a dock dog, a flyball competitor, and a frisbee dog. Rotor just shows promise as a doer of anything she isn't supposed to be doing. But we love her all the same.

One of the first things involved in training a dock dog (a dog that will jump great distances off of a dock) is to get them to leap blindly off of the end of a dock. Obviously a love of the water is required as well as great trust in their owners. Elly and Rotor have to believe that we will never ask them to do anything that would bring them harm.

I thought of this today on my 20 hour drive to middle daughter's house. (impending birth of 7th grandchild) How this trust is similar to what our Abba asks of us. He gives us a command which we are to follow, often times not knowing what is in front of us. Is the water deep? Will it be cold? Will there be a reward?



We have faith that He would never ask anything of us that would hurt us. Deep inside we know that He is there but sometimes we get to the edge of the dock and skid to a halt, afraid that He won't follow through on His promise. We look out into the water, seeing everyone else having a great time yet come up with all kinds of excuses. I can't swim. My hair can't get wet. I have my contacts in. The water is dirty. I was reminded today that He doesn't ask us why we can't do it. He just asks us to do it. We must make that leap. Trust that He will follow through. Know that He will never let us drown. Know that He has given us earthly lifeguards who are ever ready to pull us to safety if we falter. Father please help us to trust You as we take those leaps of faith. Give us uncommon courage to do what you would have us do. (But if you could reward me with chocolate instead of a soggy tennis ball, I would greatly appreciate it.)