Taking a slight pause in our David’s Mighty Men series to participate in #FiveMinuteFriday. I couldn’t resist when I saw that today’s word prompt is TRUST. Enjoy this true story!
Several years ago while pastoring in a little town in Northwest Missouri, we had a visiting minister for the weekend. This young man was a friend of our middle son and we were excited to have him and his wife as our guest speakers. He had an engaging personality and the congregation immediately liked him.
During his message, he wanted to make an illustration and called our youngest son up to help. You have all seen someone stand a few feet away and ask you to fall back into their arms, signifying your trust in this person. No big deal and Korey was a willing participant; did what he was told, he fell backward.
And landed fast and hard on his backside on the floor.
The gasps from the congregation (and likely Korey’s mother!) were not stifled. They were all in shock that he didn’t even attempt to catch their pastor’s son. (Who also is afflicted with scoliosis…he likes to use that when it is convenient.)
I wish I could tell you what he was preaching about, what his point was and why-in-the-name-of-all-that-is-good-and-right he would allow my son to fall. I do not remember but I am sure it had something to do with trust.
Korey trusted him. Completely or he wouldn’t have taken such a hard fall.
The minister actually trusted Korey to take him at his word and fall back into his arms that were not there.
“Let the morning bring me word of your unfailing love,
for I have put my trust in you.
Show me the way I should go,
for to you I entrust my life.” Psalm 143:8 NIV
There is One who literally sticks closer than a brother that we can entrust with our very lives. One who never fails and never steps back when we lean into Him.
Jesus never sleeps, doesn’t grow weary and doesn’t look at us as too heavy to catch or our problems too small to step in and intercede.
“He will not let your foot slip—
he who watches over you will not slumber…” Psalm 121:3 NIV
Do you lack trust in others and sometimes with just cause?
Are you afraid today?
“In God, whose word I praise—
in God I trust and am not afraid.
What can mere mortals do to me?” Psalm 56:4 NIV
No matter what comes against you in this life God is there. He promised to never leave us or forsake us but to go with us to the very end.
I’ve read a couple of accounts this week of more Christians being tortured, crucified and beheaded and their stories have encouraged me. Yes, encouraged me. For time and time again we read that in their darkest hour, (and friend, this is dark), they wouldn’t renounce His name even though they knew it meant certain death. And when that moment of death came many were calling out, “Jesus!” It is reported that some of their faces were just like Stephen in the book of Acts; illuminated and reaching up as they said His name…as if they could see His face.
But He did promise to be there and usher us into Glory.
You may not be called on to give your literal life today but no matter how difficult your lot, God is faithful and you can Trust Him with your Backside…and your life. He will not let you fall!
Well, if that had happened to my son, that pastor could have trusted that his sermon would have come to an abrupt and spectacular conclusion.
Actually, if I’d just been in the congregation and didn’t even know the kid…the pastor would have been given a lesson he would not have forgotten, ever.
You don’;t DO that to people who trust you. Period.
Here from FMF, #6 this week.
http://blessed-are-the-pure-of-heart.blogspot.com/2015/10/reaching-for-god-blogbattle.html
Stumble sometimes? Yes I do. But always, always God is there. He always catches me, He always sets me on my feet again and leads me on. That is the essence of Trust. Knowing that Someone is there…always.
GOD BLESS!
This reminds me of a beth moore bible study I did where she discussed God delivering you through something not from it. Sometimes that meant even through and on into Heaven where real deliverance is. It seems like He let you fall but really it was the greatest catch of all.
Oh my goodness! I think if that happened to my son, I would have lost track of the point of any sermon that day, too. But yes, in contrast to the people out there, we do have a wonderful God who never fails and praise be for that!
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Hi Nannette, visiting from Five Minute Friday here. That’s incredible that the pastor let the boy fall! But you’re right. People may fail us, but we CAN trust God. He has our backside for sure. Blessings on your weekend.
He is always there! Amen! So thankful for a faithful God who loves us, is patient with us and welcomes us with open arms. Blessings!
Visited your blog and love your space!! You write so beautifully and from the heart. I will be back for more. 🙂 You bring up a good question, I wish I remembered what point he was trying to make…I;m sure whatever it was escaped me completely once Korey fell on his….backside ♥
Sweet story…the Twitter photo caught my attention…backside!!!!
I think we all fall from time to time, and it is reassuring as you say that even in the darkest times when we need Jesus he is there. Always.
Jenn
Hi, I’m next to you at FMF. Interesting story- I wonder what point the preacher was trying to make. I’m so glad God does not to do that, and I liked your comment that he “doesn’t look at us as too heavy to catch or our problems too small to step in and intercede.”