“Let’s play the trust game!  Me first!” exclaimed Carla jumping up and grabbing Sam’s muscular arm. “Come on Sam, you can catch me.”  Standing a couple of feet apart, Carla turned her back to Sam crossing her arms across her chest. Sam extended his arms out ready to catch her. “On three!” declared Chris. The group counted, “One, two, three!” Carla fell backwards safely into Sam’s open arms.

“Me next!” said Julie waving her hand. “I’ll catch her.” volunteered Neal. “How can you catch me?” squeaked Julie. “I weigh twice as much as you!” Frowning, Julie mumbled under her breath, “I don’t even think you like me.”

Alan & I playing the trust game

HAVE YOU EVER PLAYED THE TRUST GAME?

In order to play, we have to feel comfortable that the person catching us is strong enough to do it. Oh, and most important, we also have to trust that they care enough about us to catch us, don’t we? Carla felt safe falling into her friend Sam’s muscular arms, but Julie would not take a chance with lightweight Neal who didn’t like her.

IMAGINE PLAYING THE TRUST GAME WITH JESUS.

Would you be comfortable falling backwards into His arms?  Do you think He cares enough about you to catch you? Do you think He is strong enough to catch you?

WHAT KIND OF STRENGTH DOES JESUS HAVE?

Carpenter from Nazareth Village

While on earth as a carpenter Jesus’ job required physical strength.  Since most structures were constructed primarily of limestone, in addition to woodworking, Jesus’ skills would have included cutting and sharping stone, roof thatching, etc.  Without power tools, forklifts or a Home Depot to purchase 2 x 4’s, Jesus would have had to cut, carry and lift logs and stones.¹ If anyone had played the trust game with Jesus then, they would not have had second thoughts about His strength to catch them. How about now?

Although Jesus is not here physically,
He still has the strength to catch us.

FROM PHYSICAL FALLS?

While that’s not impossible, I don’t mean physical falls.

Look at Carla. There was more to her fall than the physical, there was faith. When Carla fell back into the unknown, she had faith that she would fall safely into Sam’s arms. Like Carla, we fall into the unknown when we experience a job loss, illness or other difficult situations.  Then what happens to our faith? Perhaps, it is shaken. Fear increases and we feel like we are falling backwards with no one to safely catch us. But we don’t have to worry. No matter how difficult the situation, we can fall safely into our Lord’s everlasting arms of love.

The eternal God is your refuge,
And underneath are the everlasting arms,
Deuteronomy 33:27a

When we fall, we can be assured that Jesus, in His perfect love, stands behind us. His loving arms are outstretched ready to encircle us when we fall.  We don’t have to be afraid to fall like Julie. By faith, we can count on Jesus’ perfect love for us.

There is no fear in love;
but perfect love casts out fear,
because fear involves torment,
1 John 4:18a

Our Lord is always watching us aware of what is happening and the plans He has for our future.  When we are falling into fear, despair or hopelessness He is there to catch us.

Lord, even before I speak a word, you know all about it.
You are all around me, behind me and in front of me.
You hold me safe in your hand,
Psalm 139:4-5 NIRV

WHAT IF MY FAITH IS WEAK?

Although Jesus’ love is perfect, we are only human so our faith isn’t perfect. In those times when our faith is weak, our Lord is still faithful.

Your mercy, O Lord, is in the heavens;
Your faithfulness reaches to the clouds,
Psalm 36:5

As we fall backwards, He promises to be there to strengthen and uphold us.

Fear not, for I am with you;
Be not dismayed, for I am your God.
I will strengthen you, yes, I will help you,
I will uphold you with My righteous right hand,
Isaiah 41:10

FAITH IS LOOKING TO JESUS
& TRUSTING
IN SPITE OF OUR FEARS.

No matter how often we fall, we can have faith that Jesus in His love and faithfulness will catch us, just as He has promised.

For all the promises of God in Him are Yes,
and in Him Amen,
 to the glory of God through us,
2 Corinthians 1:20.

REFLECTION

Do you trust the Lord to catch you?

PRAYER

Heavenly Father, as I write 2 Corinthians 1:20 and say it aloud, help me to turn to you when I am falling. Strengthen my faith to trust that You will always catch me in Your everlasting arms of love just as You promised. In Jesus name. Amen.

FAITH TRUSTS THE LORD TO CATCH US

May your day be filled with love and laughter!

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For information on making Jesus Christ your Savior, email me or visit, http://www.peacewithgod.net/

1 meaningfulspaces.com
Photo banana, Alexas Fotos
Photo man, Joel Danielson