The Rickety Bridge

Taking a walk around Blairmore house brought me to a small bridge, near the cottage I live in. The bridge doesn’t look very stable, in fact it looks shaky and dangerous to me. At the bottom of that bridge is a very rocky shallow river.

The first time I stepping on to this bridge I felt uncertain about its ability to hold me. It took me some courage to actually walk on it. I tried several times, taking small steps at first. But after several attempts I could walk on it boldly. I could do this, not because its appearance had changed, but because, after several trials, my perception of the bridge changed. As I looked at this bridge I realised that it’s got strong ropes holding it, so a good support system’s in place, and it’s much stronger than I first thought. I eventually learned I could trust its strength and ability to hold me. Now I know it’s safe I can stand on it, walk on it and enjoy a beautiful view from it.

We have different seasons in our lives. Sometimes we feel peaceful, happy and satisfied, but other times we feel just the opposite, fearful, uncertain and vulnerable. But all experiences work for good for those who love the Lord. When we enjoy His peace and stability, we know His care and faithfulness. When we’re going through hard times we learn to draw closer to Him. We can know Him more intimately if we let him in into our vulnerability.

Letting Jesus into our difficult places in every season takes courage and faith. It’s like walking on the rickety bridge for the first time. But as we learn to know Him and His great love for us, and as we lean on His strength and stand on His promises, we experience the depth of His love and His ability to hold us. We find He sustains us in our times of need.

When Peter took the first step of faith and left the boat walking toward Jesus, I’m sure He was aware of the vulnerable state he was placing himself in. But nonetheless, he obeyed the Lord and stepped into the stormy sea. Soon he learnt that his ability couldn’t hold him up, but Jesus could. He called on the Lord, and the Lord Held His hand.
Are you feeling shaky or vulnerable? Are you finding it hard to trust Him? Do you feel apprehensive about letting Him into your vulnerability?

Why don’t you take a small step to test and see? Ask Him to hold you and lift you up. He’s trustworthy and faithful. In fact, He longs for you to let go, and let Him take charge of every area of your life! He’s willing to hold and carry you through each season!

Prayer: Lord Jesus, I want to trust You, but I feel like I’m standing on a rickety bridge. Please hold my hand and lift me up. Give me the confidence to face the mountains in my life. Enable me to really surrender all control to You. Come in, Lord Jesus, and take control, in Jesus’ name. Amen.