My daughter, Sara, is a competitive gymnast. She’s 7 and has the focus of someone three times her age. I’m continually amazed by her courage on all apparatuses, but especially the balance beam.
This piece of equipment is only 4 inches wide, and the things they learn to do on that amount of space blows my mind. If you asked Sara if it’s scary to be tumbling on 4 inches while being close to 5 feet above the ground, she’d say, “Yes!”
But she does it anyway.
She knows the risks involved. She knows that one mistake could mean a lot of pain. She knows she must stay focused and trust in what she’s been taught. She knows she must be like Joshua who God told to be “strong and courageous.”
The cool thing is that she is willing to put it out there.
I remember in her last competitive season, she fell off the beam in the middle of a performance. Rather than cry or walk off… rather than get discouraged and give up… that bold little baby of mine got right back up and finished what she had started.
Through my tears, I was so proud of her!!! She tried… had a fall… got back up… and finished. That simple act of courage spoke volumes into my life.
For some of us, it seems we try and fail all the time. But let’s be realistic, we’re all going to fail. So when that happens we just get back up – again – and climb back on the beam to finish our divine routine (our calling).
For others I wonder… are you even ON the beam?
What is it that God is calling you to do? To try? To risk? To share? Why are you still in the stands? Get on that beam!
Rest assured that if you are breathing on planet earth, you have a “routine” that God has choreographed just for you.
- Some of you know your calling. God’s been trying to get your attention for years but you tell Him “no.”
- Some of you have an idea of what it might be, because you’ve got a check in your gut right now. Will you say “yes” this time?
- Some are still asking God, “Why am I here?” (keep asking!)
I never feel more alive than when I am working in my gifting… my calling. It took me a long time to get on the beam because I wondered how God could use someone like me to further His kingdom. How He could look past… my past.
I’ve come to learn He’s not looking for perfect, He’s looking for pliable.
Risk everything for God! Get… on… that… beam! Our Heavenly Judge is watching and I don’t know about you, but I want to score a “10” on my earthly routine. Don’t be afraid of falling, because you will fall! Just get back up again…
Joshua 1:9 “Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be terrified; do not be discouraged, for the LORD your God will be with you wherever you go.”
Start stretching…. 🙂
Carey, love that! I’m going to read it to my kids and talk about it!! Thanks for the inspiration!!
Thank you for the great visual. And I know His hands are the softest and largest mat underneath our beams.
Amen to that, Sarah! And thanks for reading this… appreciate your support!
Carey…Needed this, girlfriend! Loved the story of Sarah! No surprise here! Our little ones can teach us without even knowing! I have to exhaust over “how” to teach and for them God just works naturally. Probably because they don’t get all caught up in the “right or perfect” way! It’s just Him working through them! Ah-ha! Gotta love God! And the way He DAILY works through you! Thanks guys!
Carey,
Your post made me think of this video. I love it. Keep up the good work.
Love this, Carey! Seems my ‘beam’ has gone from a (very comfortable) 15 inches wide right down to a 4 inch beam in the last year. It certainly teaches me to remember my priorities & pay attention to the details more……not necessarily a bad thing.
This was so cool! It reminded me of Priscilla this past weekend when she challenged us to take all the arrows out of our quiver. Throw it all out there, right? These devotionals are mind blowing to me, Carey. Thank you for your insight. I’m gonna get on the beam….well, at least I’m going to stretch!