Called
to Move
 I've
always been
intrigued
with the story
of Abraham
and Sarah,
who were called
to pack their
bags, leave
their home
and country,
and venture
into a land
unknown. We
are often
called to
move, to make
radical changes,
either physically,
like Abraham
and Sarah,
or in our
personal lives. We
are challenged
to go in
new directions,
but it is
our choice
whether to
act on those
calls.
We
resist change. I'm
reminded of
Peppermint
Patty in one
of the Peanuts
cartoon strips. Patty
is shown
with her new
carry-on flight
bag.
"It's
beautiful
Patty," says
Lucy. "Are
you going
somewhere?"
"No," replies
Patty. "I
hate going
places; I
just like
luggage.
Many
of us hate
going places,
especially
when the
destination
is not clearly
spelled out. We
lack the faith
of Abraham
to be sojourners
in faith. The
opposite of
faith is fear. It
is fear that
holds us back,
that allows
us to get
stuck, that
inhibits us
from taking
risks.
I
recall
a family
vacation
when our
children
were younger,
where parasailing
was offered
as a water
sport. All
week we
watched
persons
hanging
from colorful
parachutes
over the
water outside
our hotel
window. Finally,
on the
last day,
we all
trooped
down to
the beach
to investigate. Once
on the
beach,
my kids
wanted
to try,
and before
I knew
it, I
was handing
over my
pesos
to the
persuasive
guide. The
kids
and I
were
signed
up!
In
the spirit
of Abraham,
who was willing
to sacrifice
his first
born, I encouraged
my daughter
to go first. Even
after both
my children
had floated
up in the
sky and safely
returned to
the sandy
shore, I had
second, and
third thoughts. As
I was being
strapped into
the cumbersome
harness, I
decided this
wasn't such
a good idea
after all. I
realized I
was going
on this journey,
like it or
not.
As
the guides
pretended
not to understand
my plea for
one more
Mexican minute,
I found myself
lurching
skyward. As
the parachute
filled with
air, I was
effortlessly
lifted high
above the
shimmering
waters below. The
only sound
was the gentle
flapping of
silk behind
me.
I
was still
tightly clutching
the shoulder
harness,
as gradually
the fear
of the unknown
gave way
to a sense
of being
in another
world. I
cautiously
let go of
the straps
and released
the tension
in my legs. I
was truly
hanging
in mid-air,
trusting
in the rush
of air that
kept the
parachute
full, trusting
in the ropes
that held
me in place,
trusting
in the small
speck of
a boat so
far below,
and trusting
in the guides
to catch
me as I
floated
back to
the sandy
shore.
Floating
up there,
I thought
about faith
and trust. I
thought
about Abraham
and Sarah. I
would have
missed
this
exhilarating
experience
if I had
not been "encouraged" to
overcome
my fear
and take
a risk. |
