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Standing in the Door

After weeks and weeks of intense training, it was time. My knees were knocking, I had butterflies in my stomach that were making me sick, and my pants were soaked from wiping the sweat off my hands every 5 seconds. 300 of us sitting side by side. Not a single word was spoken. You could hear a pin drop as we sat there in silence. And then it happened. The doors opened and the warm Georgia air raced over us as the sunlight pierced through the dimly lit space we were sitting in. It was time. STAND UP were the words that rang through the intense silence of the moment, followed quickly by the command to HOOK UP. The moment had arrived, fear had set in, but I could hear the encouraging words of our instructors, “remember your training,” “trust us, you’ve got this,” “trust your gear and what you have learned,” and finally, “see you on the ground.”

We began to shuffle as a group toward the bright beam of light and as I came face to face with the open door I heard the loud shout of my jumpmaster, “GO, GO, GO!” I turned and handed him my static line and then stepped out of the airplane at 15,000 feet. This is what I was called to do. This is what I have been trained for. This is the life of a paratrooper.

As Christ followers, we have been called to GO, GO, GO for Jesus! Although our “training” or discipleship is a life long part of our life, Christ has equipped and called each of us to STAND UP, HOOK UP, and GO! The time has come for each of us to set aside the fear of being outside our comfort zones and to trust that God has equipped us to witness to the world about the Good News. We stand in the power of knowing who has sent us. God has given us his truth, his Word, to guide us and direct us! Our authority and confidence have been given to us by and through Jesus Christ! And, Jesus has given us the Holy Spirit to encourage us, guide us, give us strength, and to take away any fear! This is what God has equipped you for, trained you for, called you to—this is the life of a Christ Follower. Brothers and sisters, you are in the door, trust the Holy Spirit, be encouraged, and GO!

“Again Jesus said, “Peace be with you! As the Father has sent me, I am sending you. ”And with that he breathed on them and said, “Receive the Holy Spirit.” John 20:21-22

—Pastor E

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