Build a Bridge

When my now 22 year old son was about two years old, I walked into a room to find him standing on the arm of the sofa. He was looking intently at the loveseat about three feet away.

There he stood precariously perched on the edge of the sofa. He began pumping his arms back and forth. There was a look of fierce determination on his face. He was oblivious to the small crowd of family that stood watching to see what he would do.

“It’s kinda scawry, but I can do it!” he said in his two-year-old speech.

And with those words, he launched himself into the air landing on the loveseat. He had stood on the edge, faced his fears, and conquered the challenge in front of him!

Can I just say how much I love that kid? I so love his sense of his adventure, his determination that there is no challenge too great to conquer! Even at 22, he continues to live life with gusto, with a passion that simply emanates from deep within. I envy that quality in him.

And I see it in many of the next generation! They are unwilling to settle for the status quo. They are following their passions instead of simply doing what’s expected. It can be difficult for some of us risk adverse people as we stand on the sidelines, our hearts filled with fear and anxiety for their future–just as I stood watching my two-year-old as he leapt across the room.

I am living this life with my children. All three are choosing their paths, paths that could be considered risky. My oldest struggled through college, not because the classes were hard but because he simply didn’t know what he wanted to do. Three years in, he came home and announced he was dropping out of college to go to flight school. And that’s exactly what he did. He’s currently a flight instructor, has almost enough hours to get to the regional airlines, and absolutely LOVES what he does every day.

When my younger son was a senior in high school, he was offered full-ride scholarships to almost any college he wanted to attend. He turned them all down. He wanted to be a firefighter for the city of Oklahoma City. He went to the local tech school, earned his EMT, and started applying. It took a couple of tries, but he has been on the Oklahoma City Fire Department for over two years now. He is scheduled to finish the paramedic program at the local community college in March. He faces his fears daily as he serves our community, facing “scawry” situations with fierce determination.

My baby girl isn’t much different. Although she is taking the more traditional college route at this time, she chooses to challenge herself regularly. This summer, it was a trip to the other side of the world to serve the people of Cambodia and Thailand. I stood at the airport as she walked toward the gate, the surge of emotions overwhelming me. She, on the other hand, walked with confidence knowing she was following the God who was calling her.

I long for the boldness of my kids!

For God has not given us a spirit of fear and timidity, but of power, love, and self-discipline. 2 Timothy 1:7

I’ve been doing a lot of studying on self-awareness. The one glaring issue I face on a regular basis is my own fear of the unknown. I love security! I love knowing I’m in a safe place. I thrive with routine, knowing what is coming at me. It’s the way God created me, and I don’t apologize for that. However, I find myself wondering if this tendency is limiting me. Is it limiting my enjoyment of life? Is it limiting me financially? Is it limiting my freedom? Is there something more God is calling me to? If so, do I have the courage to step out when I can’t see the way forward?

When you know God is calling you and you choose to walk forward without seeing all the details is called faith.

For we live by faith, not by sight. 2 Corinthians 5:7

I’ve come to understand there are some of us who need the clarity of a bridge. I am chief among those as a nurturer/guardian (for more details on the voices, click here). I struggle when I can’t see the details of the plan. I need to know the who, how, when, where. I need to have a clear and compelling path forward.

My kids are a less risk adverse. As strong creatives and connectors, they see the vision is so compelling they are willing to take the leap of faith even when they can’t see the path forward. I love them for their boldness and long to be more like them at times! (Truth is, I am the grounding factor for the family at times! It would be chaos without me!)

Here’s the thing I sometimes have to remember: Jesus is the bridge! When I am following after God, seeking to do all He is calling me to do, I may not know all the details. But I know Jesus! He is the bridge that takes me from point A to the future He is calling me to! I don’t know the details, but He does. The question becomes: Am I willing to take the “scawry” leap of faith and follow Him into the unknown?

Am I willing to let him build the bridge one plank at a time?