Do you remember when bungee jumping was all the rage? Grown folks with only a cord tied around their waists were paying big bucks to jump off some pretty scary heights. And for what? A sense of adventure? The adrenaline rush? Or just plain stupid? I don’t know which, but they were willing to trust a cord. Yet some of these same people would squawk at the idea of trusting Jesus by faith. They even have names for those of us who do: Naive or religious fanatics.
The notion that a virgin could have a child, or faith making you whole, or the cross of Jesus and His blood bringing salvation, the empty tomb or the whole concept of faith in general, is considered foolishness. But trusting and having faith that a cord will sustain them as they jumped off a cliff is not? Many have not been successful, some have died from the thrill, but it hasn’t been a deterrent.
The apostle Peter under the influence of the Holy Spirit asked us to do this simple act of faith. Yet most of us struggle with the idea of doing so. Let’s read.
“Casting the whole of your care [all your anxieties, all your worries, all your concerns, once and for all] on Him, for He cares for you affectionately and cares about you watchfully.
1 Peter 5:7 AMPC
An invitation to a responsibly carefree life. There’s nothing reckless here. As you’ll notice from the verse, it doesn’t say you won’t have worries, anxiety or care. It simply says roll it all on Jesus. The bungee instructor may say that he cares for your safety, but he cannot guarantee it. That’s why you sign the disclaimer. When Jesus invites us to cast all, you don’t need to think about it. You’re guaranteed a great outcome.
Do you know that you can be surrounded by hell on the outside and still have joy and peace on the inside? It’s possible. When someone else is carrying your burden, you can live the responsibly carefree life. Jesus promised us that if we trusted in Him we’d never be ashamed. This means that He backs up every promise. It doesn’t mean that we act irresponsibly and make foolish decisions, but it does mean that whenever we do what is right according to His Word, He hears us. The key to responsibly carefree living is found only by believing and doing the following:
“The Scripture says, No man who believes in Him [who adheres to, relies on, and trusts in Him] will [ever] be put to shame or be disappointed.
Romans 10:11 AMPC
“But blessed are those who trust in the Lord and have made the Lord their hope and confidence. They are like trees planted along a riverbank, with roots that reach deep into the water. Such trees are not bothered by the heat or worried by long months of drought. Their leaves stay green, and they never stop producing fruit.”
Jeremiah 17:7-8 NLT
“But the Lord has paid for the freedom of His servants, and He will freely pardon those who love Him. He will declare them free and innocent when they turn to hide themselves in Him.”
Psalms 34:22 TPT
“Therefore thus says the Lord God, Behold, I am laying in Zion for a foundation a Stone, a tested Stone, a precious Cornerstone of sure foundation; he who believes (trusts in, relies on, and adheres to that Stone) will not be ashamed or give way or hasten away [in sudden panic].
Isaiah 28:16 AMPC
Unlike bungee jumping, our reckless abandon or carefree living is guaranteed a safe landing. There are no disclaimers or what if’s. Our Guarantor Jesus, can be trusted. His invitation to cast all, doesn’t need to be met with fear or cynicism. Those who have truly accepted His offer, are enjoying just what He promised. We exchange our worries for His peace.
“Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank Him for all He has done. Then you will experience God’s peace, which exceeds anything we can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus.”
Philippians 4:6-7 NLT
“You will keep in perfect peace all who trust in You, all whose thoughts are fixed on You! Trust in the Lord always, for the Lord GOD is the eternal Rock.”
Isaiah 26:3-4 NLT
Any questions? That’s always the last question before you take the risks. Jesus’ question is simply this; “will you trust Me?” He’s already signed the disclaimer taking full responsibility with the ink of His blood- Guaranteeing a lifetime of responsibly carefree living. To be sure, there’ll be some twists and turns, tests and trials, but the peace in the midst of it all is the adrenaline rush. Your heart may be racing, but it’s not from fear but from a love experienced through faith in an Instructor who’s never lost one soul who took Him at His Word.
“My Father who sent Me has determined that I will not lose even one of those He has given to Me, and I will raise them up in the last day. For the longing of My Father is that everyone who embraces the Son and believes in Him will experience eternal life and I will raise them up in the last day!”
John 6:39-40 TPT
Any questions? Luke 1:37
Happy jumping🙏
Written by permission of the Holy Spirit
W. Tennant
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