throw down and jump back!

what i'm about to say, i heard somewhere else. i believe it was steven furtick. i'm going to expand and put it in my own words using what he said (or what i think he said since i'm not positive where i heard it).

as you may remember if you visit here regularly, i'm reading through the bible in a year. i currently find myself rummaging around in the book of exodus. as i was reading today, i was captivated by this verse in exodus 4:3

"Throw it down on the ground," the Lord told him. So Moses threw down the staff, and it turned into a snake! Moses jumped back.

and as i read that, i started thinking about my life. more specifically i started thinking about my future and all the plans, dreams, and aspirations i have. in that moment i felt God say, "chris, you need to throw your future on the ground." i was a bit caught off guard. you see, my future (at least the one i paint for myself) is actually quite "holy," if i can use such a lofty word.

i think of continuing in youth ministry, maybe coaching full time, planting a church, using my teaching degree, moving to ethiopia. i dream big dreams that involve serving the Lord with my life. THAT'S why i was so taken aback when i thought of "throwing them to the ground." it scares me because, like moses' staff, i won't be holding it in my hands. i won't be in control. it won't be about what i want and i won't be receiving any recognition.

but that is the point. when i throw my future to the ground, i'm letting go. God is now in control. and the thing is, again like moses, i believe that when i CHOOSE to let go, God is going to do something so mind bending and life altering that my only response will be to "jump back." jump back in awe of HIS plan.

i guess what i'm saying is that we (myself included) need to have a "holy throw down." we need to let go of our best laid plans because they aren't the best He has for us. but we won't know that until we put ourselves in the proper position to jump back. so let's do this together- let's throw IT down and get ready to jump back and experience a future we could never imagine. let's relinquish control.