We’ve been doing a lot of lifts in rehearsal lately. See? That’s me up in the air. Ahh!
But it’s fun. 🙂
Most of us are rather new to lifts, but there’s something thrilling about them, though they can be tricky. Both lifter and liftee have to work together, getting the right grip, balance, position, and timing—otherwise a guy can hurt his back, or a girl can take a tumble.
But we’re learning, and overall getting the hang of them quite successfully, I think. And beyond learning to get smoothly up in the air, lifts have gotten me thinking.
I’ve been realizing how important it is that I both trust my dance partner and commit myself fully to my role in the lift—it’s definitely not just a matter of just letting him lift me. When we were trying to get the hang of some particularly tricky lifts after rehearsal one day, my sister and I were grateful to practice with our friend and vocal director, Brandon (also a rising singer and songwriter—check out his debut music video here!). A strong guy and musical theater veteran, he assured us both, “I won’t let you fall.”
When we listened to and trusted him, we were able to focus on getting the technique of our parts right, making things safer and smoother (and easier on our guys!) when we next worked with our partners onstage.
Brandon’s words made me think of a Christian fantasy book my sister read when she was junior high age. She told me about a scene where a young girl finds herself in a perilous situation facing a huge chasm. Her only escape is to cross it to a character analogous to Jesus, who stands waiting on the other side. Paralyzed with fear, she can’t bring herself to cross.
Then He asks her, “Do you think I’d let you fall?”
Her inward answer to that question gives her the strength to step out in faith.
I once saw an artist’s photograph depicting Jesus standing with a wheelbarrow at the edge of a chasm spanned by a tightrope, holding out an implied invitation to get in. I think I’ve heard that when the Great Blondin did the same, spectators eagerly affirmed their trust in his ability to get a man safely across Niagara in this way—but demurred at trying it themselves.
I had to search my heart when I saw that picture for my answer to the unspoken question. Would I get in?
However much I’m learning to trust my dance partner in lifts, I think if it were anyone else in heaven or earth holding the wheelbarrow, even my strong and trustworthy daddy, I might not get in. I just wouldn’t trust a fallible human being, however skilled, not to dump me into the canyon below.
But if it were really Jesus Himself calling me, knowing what I know of His character, however scared I might be, I think, and believe, I would.
Because however much I struggle to trust Him on a day-to-day basis, when push comes to shove, I know I can. He has proved Himself faithful too many times, in my life and in the record of history and His word.
He doesn’t promise to shield us from all hardship, or pain, or even danger. But He does promise to never leave us or forsake us, to never let go or say, “Oh, whoops! I dropped you.” But just as it takes total commitment and trust from the girl in a lift to make it work, we can’t just halfway put ourselves into Jesus’ hands. Trust has to be all or nothing.
But when we hold nothing back, He won’t let us fall.
“Do not fear, for I am with you; do not anxiously look about you, for I am your God. I will strengthen you, surely I will help you, surely I will uphold you with My righteous right hand. For I am the Lord your God, who upholds your right hand, who says to you, ‘Do not fear, I will help you.’” ~Isaiah 41:10, 13
LOVE the look on your face!!
I think one of the things I need to remember is that when I put my faith and trust in God, and He is holding me tight, He can feel it when I flinch. He KNOWS when I am feeling fear. So, because I’ve let him hold me, He pulls me even closer to His heart!
I love that, Jennifer–thanks for sharing!
P.S. Are you back from the Mediterranean already?!
So beautiful Kiersti! A lot of those thoughts have been going through my head–having to do those same lifts you know–and you expressed them beautifully.
Really? That’s so cool! Thanks for sharing, Hannah. 🙂
Yes, I am back!