My bare feet made their way up the ladder, mortified to back out now. A jump from the high-diving board.
Could I pull it off with a secret fear of heights?
A public embarrassment to turn around and go the same way I had arrived—down the ladder and past the people waiting in line.
And I just knew as pool-siders gawked behind sunglasses, What a scaredy-cat! would also cross their minds.
My twin sister and I hung out at the local pool several days a week every summer. This adventure happened in sixth or seventh grade.
Yes, younger kids jump off high dives. You see, I mustered up enough courage to make jumps, oodles of them, off the low dive. Because it was low.
Yet, even for this high-dive feat, I wasn’t planning a crowd-pleasing, eyebrow-raising dive or backwards flip. Never a good diver, I kind of fell into the water from the sidelines, my arms in position to lead the way.
My dives lacked perfect form and a straight body—bent legs always gave me away. Not olympic material (judges score cards read 3.0), you probably wonder why all the fretting, sweating, and heart skipping to jump? That’s all…jump.
Still, friends coaxed us, the Clarkston twins, into executing this jump. Since we needed to protect our good name as part of the hip crowd, we accepted the challenge.
Executing the Jump
But at the bottom of the high-dive ladder, a going first tug-of-war ensued. “You go first.” “No, you go first.” Then, I reluctantly agreed to jump first.
As I walked the board, I encouraged myself with a pep talk. For goodness sake, Karen, get a grip on yourself. Just jump off the end of this long board into nice, soft, sparkling water. You can do this. Stay straight and vertical. Oh, and guard against busting the water on entry, busts hurt like crazy! No pressure.
This high-diving-board story ends with a sigh and an inward celebration to remain impressively cool. Horray, I did it!
Again, and again. My sister and I jumped multiple times.
Although I set the example by jumping first, I always preferred the low dive. I’m a low-dive-and-low-altitude kind of girl.
Jumping First
I know another who went first. Again, and again. The One we never need to implore to go first. No begging, “Please, with sugar on top and whipped topping and a cherry? Pretty, please?” No, none of that.
This is where going first originated. “We love because he first loved us” (I John 4:19, ESV).
God not only stepped into a position of first, but Jesus also positioned Himself in a posture for firsts.
Jesus went first. In love. And in forgiveness. In death. And in life.
Jumping Posture
With Christ as our example, we position our life to love as He loved us. We posture our heart to forgive as He forgave us. Like Jesus died, unselfishly bearing a cross, we die to self—our way, idols, and desires of the flesh—as we bear a cross daily.
[bctt tweet=”With Christ as our example, we position our life to love as He loved us. We posture our heart to forgive as He forgave us. #spiritual #posture @FridayKaren” username=”PatHolbrook”]
As Jesus lived, we live sold-out for our heavenly Father, accomplishing His plan on earth and in our life.
[bctt tweet=”As Jesus lived, we live sold-out for our heavenly Father, accomplishing His plan on earth and in our life. #SOLDOUT #GodsWill @FridayKaren” username=”PatHolbrook”]
Jumping for a Big Splash
So let’s jump in with both feet. Jump in from the sidelines. Or, jump from the low or high dive. Ease in from the pool-side ladder. Or, come slip-sliding down the slide.
But, by all means, get in the water. Live life to the fullest. Make a big splash in a large way for the One who went first. Jesus.
Which “going first” posture is most difficult for you?
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[bctt tweet=”Linkup is Open! This week, my friend @FridayKaren teach us how to get in the water. Live life to the fullest. And make a big splash in a large way for the One who went first – Jesus. Share your blog. ” username=”PatHolbrook”]
Thanks for this perspective! II Corinthians 3:18 tells us we’re changed to be more like Him as we behold Him. I’ve found it to be true that the more I keep my gaze on Him, the easier it is to follow. I’m so thankful He initiated a relationship for us and went before us to show us how to live for Him.
Barbara, I love that verse, thanks for reminding me it’s one of the best ways to become more like Christ…to behold Him.
I’m not much of a swimmer, never mind diver, so I very much appreciated this post. It brought to mind Steven Curtis Chapman’s song, Dive. May I never hesitate to jump into all that He has for me.
Hey Joanne, me and you both. 🙂 I had forgotten about the song. I’ll have to pull that up and listen to it. Saw him in concert many times back in the day.
Karen, I love how you mentioned all the ways we can get in the water. It doesn’t have to be the big jump and may even be slipping in from the side. Often I can think I need to take the big leap, but sliding in is okay too! Thanks for that encouragement today.
Yes, Lynn, I agree! It’s not about the big jump, but simply living the life and plans God has for each of us! God bless!
Karen, I remember that unnerving view from the high diving board. I love that He has gone before us. What a wonderful picture to help us remember that when we face challenges that twist our stomachs.
Debbie, even reading your comment took me back to that place from the high dive. 🙂 I’m also grateful Christ went before us and went first! Thanks for your comment and for sharing today!
Karen, what a great analogy! Jesus is truly the first, our example on how to live life in a big way.
Loved your line, ” Make a big splash in a large way for the One who went first. Jesus.”
I have trouble being first in initiating conversations. Praying I will be more likely to “jump in.”
Thank you, Jerralea. So glad this encouraged you today. And how you chose a practical way to apply jumping in…initiating conversations. Good for you!
Karen, I didn’t know we had this in common. I have a twin sister as well!
Yep! We share the twinning thing…literally. 🙂 How neat!
I love this, Karen!! I’d never quite though of Jesus “going first” in this way, but I’m so glad He does!
Me too, Bethany! With Christ as our example, we position our life to love as He loved us. We posture our heart to forgive as He forgave us. Like Jesus died, unselfishly bearing a cross, we die to self—our way, idols, and desires of the flesh—as we bear a cross daily.
Blessings!