What Are You Afraid Of?

My son is 8.5 months old today. He has been pulling himself up and "cruising" (walking while holding onto something) since October, shortly after he learned to crawl. Today I'm sitting here watching him almost literally running in circles around my coffee table. I mean, seriously, the boy is pretty fast. As I sit and watch him I realize that if he can work up enough confidence to let go, he'll be walking soon. He's let go on a few occasions and was able to balance himself for a few seconds before he would start to fall. When he feels himself falling he will reach out and grab the table again.

Watching him made me think of how we sometimes relate to God. God has called us out, tried to coax us into taking that step away from whatever it is that we hold onto so tightly. It's not that we need the things we hold onto for the security we are seeking...no, the problem is that we are too afraid to let go. We are afraid of falling. God has promised to catch us when we fall. All he asks is that we will trust Him as we take that first step, then He will take over and be our support from that point on. If my son were to attempt to take a step on his own, I would hover next to him with my arms outstretched around him, waiting to catch him just in case he starts to stumble. Because I love him I would never let him fall purposely. Because I love him it makes me proud to see him stepping out and taking that step into his future. It makes me proud to watch him grow and develop.

There are many things that we are afraid of at any given time, and our fears could very well be justified.

Why aren't we making more of an effort to step out and make our Father proud? Why are we so afraid that when we stumble...and we will, because aren't perfect...there is a chance that He won't be there to catch us? He promised that if we will be strong and brave, if we will not be afraid, He will be with us wherever we go (Joshua 1:9, NCV).

What are you afraid of? What is God calling you to do that you have not trusted Him enough to even try?