Let the Adventure Begin!

This morning as I fixed my coffee I realized I chose a mug that reflects my state of mind. “Let the adventure begin!”  As I have moved out of “Christmas mode” and into preparing myself for a new year this is exactly how I feel! My cousin Emily gave me this mug for my last birthday. I have used it many times as I attempt to face forward and not wallow in the past or my weaknesses.
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I have learned an important lesson over the past two years. My success is dependent upon how much I empty myself of reliance upon my own strengths. Good days have been defined by times that I walked moment by moment leaning upon the Holy Spirit for the filling of my mind and soul as well as reliance upon the people He placed around me. This mode of successful dependency is the need to operate with the knowledge and acceptance that our inadequacies will be covered by the very One who spoke all into existence. How many times have we let our fear or weaknesses keep us from facing forward into what adventure lies ahead?

We all can relate to that image of the parent waiting in the water, arms up, ready to catch that anxious child standing on the side of the pool, so eager to jump in and experience what joy surely awaits. “Come on! Jump! I got you! You will be ok! You’ll love it!”, says the parent. The child wiggles, shakes, maybe even cries, fearful of what might end in disaster but also smiles knowing it’s about to be so much fun. Finally, the jump. Success and a squeal, “I want to do it again!”. 

I have been in both roles. I’ve been the child wanting to jump off of the dock into the canal in my grandparents’ back yard, fearful of certain jellyfish that lurked under the surface of the murky bay water. I have also been that frustrated parent treading water waiting for my daughter to jump from the high dive only to see her climb down the ladder. Then she would finally muster up the courage and go back up again to end the day upset she had to stop jumping. Like most things, once she jumped she became brave and had the time of her life and nothing could wipe the smile away. While all this was going on, my son would usually have exhausted himself flipping off of every surface available. We are all wired differently! 

How many times have we been in that place with God, wanting to jump, going through the motions of having the idea, climbing the ladder, getting brave? That feeling of standing on the edge with butterflies in the very pit of my core is very familiar. I am more of a “jump on in” type of person but lately I have hesitated more than I care to admit. There are many examples in scripture of times God has shown up for those saturated with doubt to fulfill a great purpose, effect change, or just gently carry them through a tragic situation. 

I found myself reading Nehemiah 8:10 this morning as the Holy Spirit tied all of this reflection into what He was trying to lead me through. “Do not grieve, for the joy of the Lord is your strength.”

Moving into a new season of life takes strength enough to take that first step. For me, that first step was Balance Ministries. I am excited for 2020 and cannot wait to share what is in the works. Stay tuned! In the months to come, there will be adventures. As with any journey, there will be ups and downs. Please pray with us and for us as we work on building a team that serves the purpose to which we are called. And I encourage you, if you are reading this, to empty yourself, allow God to compensate for your inadequacies and you will become even stronger! Your adventure awaits!

I encourage you to read further into God’s word today. Philippians chapter 4 is an excellent dose of encouragement. As I read it this morning, I felt as if I was standing on that high dive ready to jump in! Let the Adventure begin!

Author: Kim Carroll

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