Today I was reminded of an important lesson when I took my two young cousins to the park. At the park are a series of bars that a child walks on to take them from one platform to another. This was the first thing that my youngest (7 year old) cousin went for. She starts out on the bar. In my overprotective manner, I say "be careful." Well, that's all it took for her to get scared. She was right in the middle of the bar. She had made it half way and she became so afraid that she went back the other way. "But you were half way there!" I said. It was just as dangerous to go back as it was to go forward. Yet I had uttered the words of doubt ("be careful") and she was now to afraid to go forward. She clung to the bar at the top and edged her way back to the first platform (where she had started).
After returning to the house this afternoon I reflected upon my cousin's experience and I realized that so many times I have done the same thing in my walk with God. I start out on a journey, doing well, and then someone says "are you sure" or "be careful" and the words of doubt take me away. It reminds me of the story of Peter walking on the water. He was so enthusiastic about stepping out on the water, until he saw the waves. He began to doubt and thus to sink.
So many times it becomes just as dangerous to go back as it is to go forward. If Peter had not doubted he would have continued on the water, but instead he began to sink. If my young cousin had not doubted she would have made it to the second platform, instead she went back to where she started. In my times of fear if I continue to trust the Lord I will experience His greatness, but if I doubt I will only be safe and never go anywhere.
Once you've started don't turn back. Remember if you've come this far it's just as dangerous to turn back now.
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