Deuteronomy 31:6
So be strong and courageous! Do not be afraid and do not panic before them. For the Lord your God will personally go ahead of you. He will neither fail you nor abandon you.”
Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright ©1996, 2004, 2007 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.
All over the country, various forms of a “24-hour Cold-water Challenge” are taking place. Here’s how it works…someone is “called out” to plunge in to cold water…like a lake, river, or swimming pool – and this act is recorded on video. This person has 24 hours to complete this challenge…and he/she “calls out” up to three other people who are supposed to then complete the challenge and “call out” others. My Facebook wall has been full of such videos for a couple of weeks now, ever since this event began with some of our high school athletes over Spring Break. Somewhere along the line, our community’s Cold-water Challenge developed a “purpose” – you are supposed to take the plunge to show your love for Jesus.
Some have made a pretty good case for the fact that Jesus knows they love him without jumping into the lake or a pool of icy-cold water. But many have been good sports and accepted the challenge. My little cousin, Owen, was one of these…well, sort of. He donned his “surfboard” swim trunks and matching t-shirt that had surfboard appliques, along with his goggles, and made his video on the shoreline of our local Sandy Beach. I should tell you… Owen is only four. He announced who had “called him out”…and he issued a challenge for two others. And then he stood there. You can hear his mom off-camera saying, “Okay, take off!” And Owen stands and says, “YOU go! Go with me!” Mom and Owen’s sister, Olivia, say, “No! YOU go… be fast!” He replies, “You come with me!” Finally…reluctantly…Owen runs into the water - up to his shins – then he stops, turns and runs back out, declaring, “It’s COLD!!!”
How many times have we been all ready to do what God calls us to do…even “run into the water” for a few feet…and then frozen in fear or retreated? How often has the mere thought of stepping out and taking a chance – even when you know that this is what God wants – caused you to panic and tremble in fear? How often do we fail to remember – or to recognize – that God is always right beside us…that nothing is too big for Him to handle…and that He will never leave us?
With coaxing and encouragement, Owen ran into the water…and retreated. But after his sister dogged him a while, he did finally go back and get in – most of the way. I’m not sure if he ever got his face wet, but he made a valiant effort for a 4-year-old in cold lake water on a 55-degree day. We were all pretty proud of him. Kudos go to his mom and sister for giving him the support that he needed…for showing compassion when he hesitated…and for never leaving his side!
This is what God does for us every day. He stands on the shore and says, “I’m right here…I’m not leaving…now take off! GO! Run into the water and take the plunge! I’ll be right beside you…I’ll have a towel handy and open arms to snuggle you afterward.” And we are called to do this for others, as well.
God wants us to reassure those in our midst that He is with them…and that they have friends “waiting on the shore with a warm towel and a hug”. He wants us to lift each other through burdens, challenges, fears and apprehensions…and to stick with them for the long haul. He calls on us to offer compassion for those who hesitate…and to extend grace, mercy and forgiveness to those who simply cannot muster up the bravery and courage to fully “take the plunge” into the “icy waters” of any given situation.
I don’t know where you are in this picture. You may be the reluctant 4-year-old on the shore… or the mom and sister who lovingly encourage him to “Take off! Go for it!” But God is with you, either way. He will never leave you or abandon you. Take comfort in this message! Know that with God, all things are possible. As long as He is on our side, we truly have nothing to fear. So what are you waiting for? “Go! Take off!” God is with you…it’ll be okay!
©2014 Debbie Robus
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