Every year we take a trip to Hot Springs, Arkansas, with our family. My wife's family has been going for years, and after we were married it became a yearly vacation. We would use time in the pool to help our children become better swimmers and less afraid of the water. I can remember each of their faces as they stood on the edge of the pool trusting me as they jumped into my arms over and over again.  Each of our children had to be convinced to let go of the side and trust I would catch them. I wasn't going to let them go under, but they had to let go and L.E.A.P. into my arms. My goal was to see them swim and conquer their fears. 

While we were driving across Tennessee recently, my oldest son played the Linkin Park song I have put at the top of this blog. I've always loved the band, but I had never heard this song. I asked him to play it several times because I could relate so much to the words and meaning behind the song. I have found myself many times just like my kids on the edge of that pool holding on to what appeared to be safe, secure, and steady. When all along I knew I needed to "Let Go!" 

Isn't it crazy how we will hold on to the very things that cause us to miss out on liberation and freedom? We hold on to desperation, past failure, anger, depression, discouragement, resentment, fear, addiction, compulsions, etc... If only we would let go and experience the love, freedom, hope, and peace we so desperately desire. Instead of holding on to the side of the pool we can L.E.A.P. off the side and experience the security found in our Father as He always catches us before we go under.

Over the next few blogs I will be writing about the word L.E.A.P., and how we can "Let Go" and experience the joy that is ahead if we only believe and trust our Father. Paul said it this way, "But one thing I do:  Forgetting, (Letting go of), what is behind and straining toward what is ahead..." (Philippians 3:13). 

 

My son turned 15 this past December. He has been so excited about getting his driving permit. He asked me everyday since then. I looked at the Department of Transportation a few times, but I kept putting it off. Everything was different than when we went through the process with his brother. So I just didn't want to mess with it. 

Recently we were hanging out as a family at home, and my son asked me again about his permit (As only a 15 year old can). I got up, stormed to the computer, and began to "get it done!" He came in and said, "Dad you don't have to do this right now," but I wasn't going to let that stop me. I was getting it done NO MATTER WHAT! Obviously my attitude was horrible. I spent a few minutes figuring out what the new guidelines were, printed off the documents, filled them out, wrote the check, and took it to the mailbox IMMEDIATELY! It was 9:30p.m., but that didn't matter! IT WAS DONE! I came back into the kitchen feeling pretty smug, when my wife simply said, "He just wants to start driving, and he just wanted you to do what you said you would." Truth!!  

The final letter in the word FOUND is "D." It stands for Destiny! My son's destiny, getting his permit, was dependent on me doing my part as his father. He was simply asking me to do what I said I would do. He was 15, his grades are good, and he is a great kid!  He did his part, and now I had to do mine. His destiny was attached to me. He had all the other elements in place, and it was time to fulfill his Destiny...to drive!  

There is a great story in the Bible about a persistent widow (Luke 19:1-8). The widow kept asking a judge, who didn't care about God or people, to help her because her rights were being violated. The judge would never give her the time of day. She kept asking over, and over, and over again. Finally the Judge said, "I care nothing about about what God thinks, even less about what people think. But because this widow won't quit badgering me, I'd better do something and see that she gets justice..." The judge finally gave in, albeit belligerently,  just  like me. She needed HIM to get her Destiny fulfilled!  Jesus said something pretty amazing after he shared the story, "Do you hear what that judge, corrupt as he is, is saying? So what makes you think that God won't step in and work justice for his chosen people, who continue to cry out for help." 

All of us have a God given Destiny. It's His desire to fulfill it, but we fail to Ask. Therefore our Destiny is never achieved. It's not to late...Begin right now! You may feel incredibly lost right now, but you can be FOUND! Put or renew your Faith in Jesus Christ (Rom.10:9-10;13). Believe that you can experience Oneness with Him (John 17:21). Be Undaunted in your approach  (Hebrews 4:16). Choose to live a Noble life (I Peter 1:16), and be persistent with the Father to fulfill your Destiny (Jeremiah 29:11; Philippians 1:16). 

It worked for my son! I mailed off that paperwork because he wouldn't leave me alone. Now pretty soon he'll be driving. Imagine all that God desires to do for us if we are just willing to Ask! 

You can be FOUND!   

Watching this clip brings back so many memories. Our oldest son used to love the "Lion King." I did too! We would sit on the couch together and watch it over and over and over again! I had the entire movie memorized, and I loved this part of the movie most. When good wins over evil, and everything is as it should be. The rightful king, Simba, goes to take his place as the prophetic little monkey says, "It is time." Simba walks up Pride Rock in the driving rain, as Timon and Pumba watch in pride and admiration,  the clouds part, and Mufasa, Simba's dad, says, "Remember..." Simba let's out a victorious roar. The other lions roar. He roars again. Then as he continues to roar all the junk from the past is washed away! Awesome stuff!!  

The "N" in the word FOUND stands for Noble. A great definition of this word is "having or showing qualities of high moral character such as courage, generosity, or honor." In "The Lion King," Simba loses his way for a while, and looks for an easy way out to escape reality. He turns away from everything that is Noble. He just wants to be comfortable. He eventually is confronted with his past and reality. After an encounter with the crazy prophetic little monkey, the voice of his father reminds him of "who he is." He chooses to make the Noble decision to return home, and it makes a great ending to the movie. 

Everyone, whether they admit it or not, dreams of their moment on "Pride Rock." A time when "high moral character" is displayed in our lives and wrongs are made right. A moment when we face the past,  our mistakes, and our fears to do something Noble. It can happen! Our character, integrity, and name can be restored! Marriages can be saved! Financial mistakes can be made right! Relationships with Children can be renewed! A moment like this is possible for all of  us. 

There is a great moment in the Bible where Jesus is being baptized by a guy named John the Baptist. After he baptizes Jesus the skies opened up and the presence of God comes down in the form of a dove. The Father says, "This is My Son, chosen and marked by My love, delight of My life."(Matthew 3:16 MSG) He was telling the world "My Son is doing it right," and He was proud. Jesus was Noble! Jesus showed us how it could be done, and then He wanted us to be able to live as He did, so He gave us His presence, the Holy Spirit (John 14:25-27) to help us. 

I've had many moments in my life where I ran from reality like Simba and just blew it! I've made some pretty "ennoble" decisions and choices, but I have learned something amazing! The same voice that spoke over the life of Jesus speaks over us. He is our Father too. God can speak those same words over our lives as we choose to put our faith in Him through His Son Jesus Christ. Think about it. The creator of it all says this about you, "This is My Son\Daughter, chosen and marked by My love, delight of My life." We can find forgiveness, grace, mercy, hope, and love in Him! 

As the prophetic little monkey told Simba, "It is time!" Begin to walk back toward reality today. Believe that you can be Noble. Jesus was, and by learning from His life we can do it too. If you are looking for a place to start go to the book of Matthew in the Bible. Make your way through John. There you will find the example and teachings of Jesus you will need to get started. 

I think I must really like monkeys...