Skip to main content

I Believe I Can ... Not Fly ... Yet

My 5 year old did something a couple of years ago that still has me wondering, but I might have figured it out today. Funny how itty-bitty kiddos can do that to educated adults!

Our friend and neighbor Tom came over and walked into our house. Jonathan was SO excited when he saw Tom that he screamed, "TOM!" and then, while at top scream, head stretched to the ceiling, and looking like he wanted to fly, tried! But obviously failed.

The realization that he didn't fly came across his face with confusion--and it is that act and look that has stuck with me. HOW could this kid think he could fly?

I have moved on (a little) to thinking more about the belief leading to fearless action, however trial it was and however leading to error it became. What would I do if I believed in some things THAT much? Sure, I could have some bruises, cuts, scrapes, and such; but what else might I gain? I actually might succeed and do the proverbial walk on water! After all, Peter did.

One thing is for sure: This account of Jonathan reminds me of a verse in Scripture:

It will happen in a moment, in the blink of an eye, when the last trumpet is blown. For when the trumpet sounds, those who have died will be raised to live forever. And we who are living will also be transformed. -1 Cor 15:52

For the Lord himself will descend from heaven with a cry of command, with the voice of an archangel, and with the sound of the trumpet of God. And the dead in Christ will rise first. Then we who are alive, who are left, will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air, and so we will always be with the Lord. --1 Thess 4:16-17


I shorten these verses into the saying, "One day, the Lord is gonna toot and I'm gonna scoot!" And there won't be any falling back to the ground. "TOM!!!" 
Labels:

Popular posts from this blog

I Wish We'd All Been ... Left Behind

  Perhaps you have heard the group DC Talk sing the remake of Larry Norman’s’ song, “I Wish We’d All Been Ready”? There is something tragically deceptive about the lyrics though. As we sing along, we find ourselves participating in a couple instances where we wish we had been ready to be taken instead of left behind. But that is not how Jesus tells his side of the story. The words are inspired by Matthew 24:40-41. But let’s look more closely, shall we? MATTHEW 24:37 As it was in the days of Noah, so it will be at the coming of the Son of Man. 38 For in the days before the flood, people were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, up to the day Noah entered the ark; 39 and they knew nothing about what would happen until the flood came and took them all away . That is how it will be at the coming of the Son of Man. 40 Two men will be in the field; one will be taken and the other left. 41 Two women will be grinding with a hand mill; one will be taken and the other left. ...
Read more

A Joshua-Veneered Judges

Without challenge there will be no growth. Without expectation there will be no challenge. Why is it that we think if we expect "too much" out of people they will turn away? Didn't Jesus issue commands and ultimatums? Why should His Church not remind His people of these things? I was challenged by a statement from someone in Sunday School that people "like" the way things are going. This "liking-ness" caused me to ponder the "state of the union" and internalize a "declaration of dependence" for the name of Christ. I repeat, Without challenge there will be no growth. Without expectation there will be no challenge. I do not want to bow down to "likingness" as the test for spiritual growth. What I see in fruitfulness is sporadic unquestionable commitment .An abandonment to the statements of Christ across the board. This is reflected in the hard work of hospitality we lack in our home-model of being the body of Christ. W...
Read more

What's in a Seed, Part 2

In part two of this discussion of What is in a seed, I decided to research a little about the  effects of a seed's environment . Here are some things I learned. 1. When a seed grows in an alternate environment and survives, it is said it has  adapted.  How many times have you adapted? Whether we like it or not, adapting is a part of life. Our attitude about it is something we can control. 2. Some seeds planted in harsher environments, and live, can have its DNA restructured to become a hardier plant for that environment in the future. This is simply fascinating! It reminds of what James tells us in those first few verses in his opening chapter about counting it all joy because of those trials and what they produce! 3. The seed within the fruit of a plant gains information from its “mother” about what she experienced in her environment to better suit it for the next generation (this is called maternal environment effects).  Experiences modify the DNA  a...
Read more

Family Time Videos