Frantically my fingers wrap handful upon handful of hollow air. Powder-blue and milky white, swirling in a cotton-candy blur of sky. Spinning dizzy through the blur, feet over head and back again. Tumbling air rushing above and below and around. And—oh, sweet Jesus—I close my eyes and pray.
Surrender. It can feel a lot like free-fall sometimes, can’t it?
Oh, the two-faced nature of feelings—so quick to convince us we’re tumbling, exposing our deeply veiled fears.
But, friends, when we feel the air rushing wildly about us, let us not forget—the wind is subservient to its Creator.
Question: Who among us would step up to an airline counter requesting: “One ticket, please; I’ll figure out where I’m going while I’m in the air?” Now, call me crazy, I know it’ a stretch, but I’m gonna guess—no one.
Yet, so often our default is to sidestep the “free-fall,” trying to walk into our callings without first surrendering to the One who knows the route.
Sometimes when we want to be brave and do the things that scare us a little, surrender can dress itself up as free-fall, betraying our every vulnerability.
Leaning on our own understanding. Check.
Longing for the carefree route. Check.
Not feeling our feet beneath us. Yep.
Walks like free-fall. Smells like free-fall. Quacks like free-fall.
But, here’s the thing I’m learning:
Tweet ThisThe God who goes before us, bringing us into this spacious place of our callings, wouldn’t leave us to wander midair.
So, take heart! Although it may sometimes seem as so—we’re not beholden to our feelings. When we say Amen to this holy tumble, Kingdom Difference is made.
Friend, what’s that thing that stirs a restless pit in your belly to consider? The thing that equally excites you and scares you?
What has you confident at daybreak, but come nightfall, once again feeling utterly inadequate—clinging to the earth beneath you—paralyzed in Who-do-you-think-you-are-anyway-Ville?
Oh, for ears to hear the One who speaks dreams into hearts—that Still Small Whisper in the wind, saying: “Hey! Look around! You’re in the air!”
Amidst the distraction of the “free-fall,” we often fail to notice that: Guess what? We’re in motion! We’re not on the ground watching others make the differences we want to make.
And, wouldn’t we rather be free-falling for the God who called us, going places where the ground can’t take us, than be crippled by gravity on the sidelines?
Next time we’re feeling that anxious tumbling in our guts—let’s take free-fall by the hand, walk it over to the mirror, and remind it of the image staring back: Surrender. 
What’s the “free-fall” moment you’re currently trying to say “Amen” to? We’re all in this tumble together—you’re not alone— and, We can do this!
~ Blessed to link up today with Open-Mic Monday , Life-Giving Linkup , #RaRa Linkup ,Titus 2sday ,Testimony Tuesday , Tuesday Talk , #TellHisStory , Coffee for Your Heart , Sitting Among Friends , Faith Filled Friday , Dance with Jesus ,Weekend Whispers ~
Oh my, Brenda … this is soul-touching and thought-provoking. Whether free-falling or walking straight ahead on the path, I’m so grateful that the Lord is the steady, sacred Guide, knowing which direction I should be heading.
Amen!
Linda Stoll recently posted…On Robins’ Nests, Blue Eggs, and Jesus . . . a Children’s Giveaway
Me too, Linda. I’m lost, otherwise. 🙂 Great to see you, Linda. Thanks for coming by and sharing. 🙂 ((xoxo))
Guess what, Brenda?
You won!
http://www.lindastoll.net/2016/02/did-you-win.html
Please email me your full name and snail mail … lindastoll@juno.com.
Congrats!
Linda Stoll recently posted…Did You Win?
Oh, fun! Yay 😀 I never win stuff. Exciting! Thank you, Linda. <3 ((xoxo))
Brenda,
So many times I’ve been the one on the ground watching others make all the difference. I’m learning that in order to make a difference, I need to let go and free-fall into His love. I don’t want to live with regrets. This is a great reminder for where I am right now…surrendering to the One who already has this!
Blessings,
Bev
So true, Bev. Can’t wait to see what He has waiting for you and the school. I’m sure that does feel every bit of a free-fall. But, oh what a difference it will make. ((xoxo))
Brenda, I am nodding my head in agreement and saying “Amen” here. So often I do the exact thing your person at the airline counter is doing. I try to control the flight. But honestly, where does that get me? Nowhere. Love your words and the heart behind them. Thank you!
Abby McDonald recently posted…Do You Need to Wake Up Your Faith? {A Book Review}
I’m right there with you sometimes, at the airline counter going nowhere. 🙂 Thanks for coming by and sharing, Abby; always good to see you. <3
Beautiful post, Brenda. It truly is all about surrender and trust, isn’t it? Knowing that He is holding us during the free-fall and guiding us. It all comes back to trusting Him with the direction He takes. Thanks for sharing your wisdom, friend!
Sure does, doesn’t it, Darcy. So glad we can trust the One who knows the (winding) route. Thanks for coming by and offering your encouragement today. 🙂 xoxo
What a beautifully poetic and thought-provoking post. The word pictures you painted really brought to life the insights you were sharing.
Thank you for sharing such an edifying post. I have been blessed.
Karen Del Tatto recently posted…Jesus is MY Servant??
Thanks for reading and sharing your sweet encouragement, Karen. So nice to see you. ((xoxo))
Brenda, like Abby, I’m the one at the airline ticket counter. I learn more about surrender each year. Sometimes falling into places I don’t really fancy, but trying to remember to fall into His arms.
Me too, Betsy…always learning, growing, falling. No better place to fall than His arms. Great to see you, thanks for visiting, friend. xoxo
“What has you confident at daybreak, but come nightfall, once again feeling utterly inadequate—clinging to the earth beneath you—paralyzed in Who-do-you-think-you-are-anyway-Ville?” Have you been peeking into my journal? Love this reminder that we are moving forward with God even when it feels like free fall. Thanks, Brenda
🙂 I had a feeling that if I was feeling it, I surely wasn’t alone. Your “journal” and mine share the sentiment. 🙂 I’ve learned to just ignore my feelings at nighttime, because all too often they are deceptive. Thanks for stopping in and sharing, Lisa. 🙂 ((hug))
That’s so beautiful. I hope not to fall anymore because it really is tiring to get back up. Plus the pain and the mess. Ugh. But, it is in the falling that we learn a lot.
Thanks for sharing this inspiration.
“…it is in the falling that we learn a lot.” So true, Lux. There’s a lot of growth in surrender, isn’t there? Thanks for coming by and reading, so nice to meet you. 🙂 ((blessings))
Surrender- what a beautiful and hard concept. I want to live more surrendered to His Lordship and trust Him with it all. Thanks for being a part of the #RaRaLinkup
Beautiful post and I have to say I just love your writing style/voice. Makes me feel right at home. Still working on total surrender here.
Laura, thank you for the sweet encouragement today; You bless me. xoxo
I have definitely lived this line in my past: “Yet, so often our default is to sidestep the “free-fall,” trying to walk into our callings without first surrendering to the One who knows the route.”
Great post! Thanks for your insight and encouragement today!
Judy Turnbull recently posted…Getting Serious About Prayer
We’re good at side-stepping without even realizing it, aren’t we? Thanks for reading and sharing today, Trudy. 🙂 ((sweet blessings))
Brenda, I love how we both wrote on surrender. God has so much in store for each of us willing to go there. This phrase stood out to me, “the wind is subservient to its Creator.” So much to ponder in a few words there.
🙂 Fun that we both wrote on surrender this week. I reckon God’s got a message He wants to get out. 🙂 Thanks for sharing, Jolene. ((sweet blessings))
Like, Jolene above, I found the words “the wind is subservient to its Creator” comforting. To know that as we are blown about and grit gets in our eyes, God is out shelter. He is in control of it all. It will be calm once again. Thank you, Brenda. I love reading your words.
The Calm that makes all the difference, isn’t He? Thanks for visiting and reading, Gleniece. Nice to see you. 🙂 ((sweet blessings))
Brenda, you are such a beautiful poetic writer. Yes, I feel like I am free falling sometimes. You painted a beautiful picture of what surrender looks like. Thank you!
(( Denise <3 )) Thanks for reading and for the sweet encouragement this morning. Blessings on you, friend. xoxo
HI Brenda, I so love your analogy and connecting surrender to a free fall.
Hey, Ifeoma. 😀 Nice to see you. 🙂 Thanks for reading and for your encouragement. ((xoxo))
I love this, Brenda: “Oh, for ears to hear the One who speaks dreams into hearts.” For when we know it’s God speaking and directing us, the free fall isn’t so scary because we know He’s bigger than our fears and the things we face.
I pray our ears are tender to hear His whispers and hear His voice loudest.
Sweet blessings to you, friend. : )
“…He’s bigger than our fears and the things we face.” Isn’t that so true, Crystal? Thank God, He is. Nice to see you, welcome back, hope your trip was great. ((xoxo))
Oh, goodness Brenda! Did you crawl inside my head? Especially with this line: “What has you confident at daybreak, but come nightfall, once again feeling utterly inadequate—clinging to the earth beneath you—paralyzed in Who-do-you-think-you-are-anyway-Ville?”
Yep, you just described me. Love this post! Thank you for sharing!
Doesn’t that just seem to be a universal feeling? I guess we are easier targets for the enemy when we’re tired at the end of the day. Nice to see you, Ellen. Thanks for coming by and reading. <3 🙂