“Who’s going first?”
My instructor yelled up to three very nervous divers on the three-meter springboard. I was about ten years old, my sister was nine, and Tommy was nine too. We had been practicing 1½ somersaults off the low dive for a few weeks now. We could all do that just fine.
Then our coach got the bright idea that we should move on up to the high dive. It made sense I guess. If we could complete the rotations in a one-meter space, three meters should be no sweat.
Except we were really high up on that narrow piece of flexible plastic.
The three of us stood toward the back of the board. Occasionally one would anxiously tiptoe to the end of the board and look down at the water.
“Its not that far!” bellowed our teenage coach from the deck below. “Quit looking down, you’re just psyching yourselves out.” Well, he was right about that anyway.
After repeatedly asking each other to be first, Tommy decided he’d go for it. I think he practically ran off the board and tumbled in the air. One…one and a half…and splashed safely, if not clumsily, into the pool.
Oh, the howling and clapping! Every parent there stood at the pool fence to cheer. Tommy has taken a deep breath and led the way. He made it look so easy. I decided to go next. Seeing Tommy do it, I knew I could do it too.
I made my approach, bounced up, and I don’t remember what happened after that. Next thing I knew, I was popping up from the pool floor, breaking the surface of the water. More cheering! My sister followed me, performing the dive with ease.
That day, I learned a new dive. I learned something else too. Tommy showed me that going first serves as a powerful witness.
I think the Lord calls everyone to be that kind of leader.
Christ challenges all his children to be witnesses for him. If I live my life in grace, love and mercy, many will follow. Think about the effect of one nine year old going first off the diving board. It sure got me off my heels.
How much more inspiring is a life lived in love?
I’m a part of family, civic, and faith communities. In all those places, I can be an agent of change. Quietly living in peace and working with compassion, I can make a difference. Nothing is more attractive than a life lived that way. It’s just naturally going to turn heads.
Are you ready to lead? Let’s all grab on to the grace of courage and take that plunge. Let’s all go first! There we’ll be, running off the board while putting our faith in the Lord. He’ll use our leadership to spark the next diver. And the next.
Pretty soon, we’ll all be tumbling in mid-air, with the angels and saints standing at the fence. Can you hear the clapping and whistling?
Great analogy, Ceil. Most of the time it is my own fears that keep me from moving out and doing/being for Christ. Thank you for the reminder that we need to grab hold of the grace of courage as we take that plunge.
Hi Dianna! I know that I can psych myself out of just about anything. Doing new things or leading the way is hard sometimes! But with that grace? We can do anything.
Thank you for visiting today my friend
Ceil
Woo Hoo, ready to dive in with you.
Hi Denise! I love it! Let’s go together
Have a great night Denise,
Ceil
This post reminded me of a favorite scripture: 1 Corinthians 16:13
Be on your guard; stand firm in the faith; be courageous; be strong.
Hi Lauren! That is a perfect Scripture pairing for these three young people on the diving board (one of them was me!). Always be on guard, be careful. But stand firm and be courageous. Love that!
Have a blessed Holy Week,
Ceil
Love this Ceil….brave girl!! LOL!
I believe to be an effective leader we must follow His example in serving with an impassioned heart, regardless of the time and effort it takes. We have to do it with an undivided heart toward God, with integrity, passion, and humbleness! ♥
Blessings and love this Holy Week sweet friend!
Denise
Hi Denise! I like your point about having an ‘impassioned heart.’ A very wise man told me once that if you feel like you would not be complete without doing it, then the odds are that you need to do it.
And that undivided heart…well, I think I still need work on that.
May you be blessed with a peaceful and graced Holy Week too, it’s always so good to see you,
Ceil
You’re so right Ceil. We are all asked to witness for Christ in our own way. Especially these days with the world becoming ever more secular and it is fashionable to say that there is no God to believe in.
Even our own Blogs, are a way of witnessing. We never know who might be visiting us without leaving a comment and learning from our example.
Thank you Ceil, for your wonderful encouraging posts here.
God bless you and yours.
Hi Victor! I agree that our witness is so important in these days…I suppose every age had it’s challenges to faith. We are certainly no exception.
I pray that our blogs will be an inspiration to each other, and to the reader who may come by. That is an encouraging thing to think about.
Have a wonderful Holy Week Victor,
Ceil
I sure can. I sure can. Blessings
Hi Linda! You go girl!!
Have a blessed Holy Week my friend,
Ceil
I can!
Love this analogy. You’ve given us much to think about to start the week. This is a good thing, thank you!
Hi Karen! Yay! Make that dive my friend
But you always lead the way on your blog, helping all of us out there get better in writing. And highlighting your author friends too. You are a light!
Have a blessed Holy Week,
Ceil
This is very encouraging. I have so many insecurities and always assume others don’t! We all feel insecure sometimes, don’t we?
I just love your last sentences. Great visual! Have a wonderful day.
Hi Kathleen! Oh yes, I think every person on earth has their insecure times. You are definitely not the only one!
Thank you so much for your kind comments Kathleen. I’m so glad you liked the post today.
Have a blessed Holy Week,
Ceil
Wonderful post and call to action Ceil! I want to be an example to others. I want to lead, to take that first step. Quite frankly, if it weren’t for Christ, I wouldn’t have the strength to do so. I am so introverted (not sure if I shared that with you before). I get so anxious around people who I don’t really know. It often surprises others because I put on a good, “confident”, approachable appearance but inside I’m screaming.
Fortunately, our actions do often speak louder than words!
Thanks for sharing Ceil! Wishing you a lovely day.
xoxo
Hi Jennifer! I think of you as a wonderful leader to all bloggers. You share all your knowledge and are so happy to respond to questions, and to be open to correspondence. Good for you for doing that in the face of your shyness. You’re not letting that define you or hold you back.
Grace is a miraculous thing, isn’t it?
Keep on jumping off that board my friend! And have a blessed Easter too,
Ceil
What a beautiful memory when you were young
I. I wish I have pool at home, and I can easily to sweet whenever I want.
I love your thought about what Tommy did. This just reminds me heart as servant we had Bible study about how to lead with a servant heart.
Thanks for sharing Ceil.
Blessing
HI Delvalina! I love the image of leading through serving. That is exactly what Christ did. Wonderful thought!
Have a blessed Holy Week and Easter my friend,
Ceil
Beautiful analogy, dear Ceil. I always appreciate when you share your heart <3
Have a blessed day! Love and hugs!
Hi Stephanie! Thank you for your kind words my friend.
Have a blessed Holy Week and Easter!
Ceil
Great post! :O)
Hi Lisa! Thank you so much!
Hope you have a blessed Holy Week and Easter,
Ceil
I LOVE this analogy! The walk of faith can be scary sometimes, but when we learn lessons of God’s faithfulness by living them, I believe the testimony of faith becomes more powerful. It gives others strength for the journey. Love you sweet friend <3
Hi Nan! I agree about the walk of faith being scary. If it was easy, there’d be a lot more people of faith in the world. But altho stepping out is not easy, it’s what we are called to do. Just like you do in your work and blog
Have a wonderful Holy Week and Easter,
Ceil
Hi Ceil, I echo Dianna’s comment! Great post, as always, thank you so much for sharing. I love your analogies. In response to you question about the video of encouragement on my yesterday’s blog post, you are more than welcome to share it! And thank you so much for your kind and encouraging comments on my blog posts, it means so much to me.
Hi Linda! Thank you for your kind comments, I really appreciate it!
I’m so glad you wouldn’t mind me sharing the video I saw on your post. It was great! I am so glad that we are connected through our blogs. God has blessed us.
Have a peaceful and graced Holy Week and Easter!
Ceil
Loved this story, Ceil. And I would have loved to have been there for that diving exhibition!! Fortunately, I know you now, and I am privileged to see your leadership shine!
Keep up the good work! And I’m on the diving board with you – and I promise, I’ll jump off!!
GOD BLESS!
Happy Easter! He is risen!!
Hi Sharon! I’m sure it was quite the sight to see. It was actually fun once I decided to do it
As always, it’s the decision to jump.
Thank you for your encouragement my friend, I really cherish that. And if you’ll be my partner, I know I’ll have the guts to jump anytime!
Have a blessed Holy Week,
Ceil
oh sweet Ceil(:)
love the diving story(:)
and thanks so much on my Easter fun stuff..
hugs.Patty
Hi Patty! Awww..thank you for your kind comment, that was so nice of you!
I always enjoy seeing how you decorate your house for holidays. You do such a great job!
Have a wonderful Holy Week and Easter,
Ceil
Oh Ceil–the most wonderful freedom comes from learning to conquer your fears. The best part of that freedom has been developing boldness to talk about what Jesus has done in my life. I laugh and tell friends, “If you make eye contact with me, I will talk to you and I WILL talk about what God has done in my life during the conversation.” GREAT ANALOGY! Bless You!
Hi Lulu! You are so right about that. And you must be bursting with the grace of freedom to feel so comfortable talking about the movement of God in your life. What a beautiful thing!
Have a blessed week and Easter…keep on talking too!
Ceil
Hi Ceil
You are such an encouraging person, I love your spirit.
Sometimes when I read your posts, I just want to sing and cheer for the gift of knowing you.
Wonderful post.
Hi Margie! Thank you for you kind and encouraging words my friend. I really appreciate them. I am so glad that we have met through our blogs. And I’m so glad that you are doing better.
Hope you had a wonderful anniversary! Have a blessed week and Easter,
Ceil
I love that we can lead from the places of our giftedness, personalities, strengths. Together, we form one mighty chorus with many nuances of joyful sound!
;-}
Hi Linda! Oh yes, let’s all sing it out together!
Have a wonderful Holy Week my friend,
Ceil
Your last sentence caught me in the heart. Some day I long for Him to shout and take us home. Then other days I pray give us a little more time Lord, there is this one and this on who is still not a believer in you. Good post sister.
Hi Betty! Thank you for your kind comment! I know what you mean…it would be so wonderful to be with the Lord always. But until that day comes, he needs us to lead others to him. And to remind each other of how much he loves us. I know you do that on your blog. You inspire many for him!
Have a wonderful Holy Week,
Ceil
The imagery here is awesome!
I love it!! It can be scary jumping off first and into uncharted territory, but yeah the rewards….you are SO right. As you know, God has been REALLY challenging me lately and pulling me along to grow, so I relate to all the feelings of not being so sure about the height of the diving board. Lol!
….VERY worth it, though.
Hi Anne! You have shared your challenges, and you are really stretching along with the Lord my friend. You are leading the way! Even though it is super-scary at times.
thank you for your visit! I hope you have a blessed Holy Week and Easter,
Ceil
Ceil,
No lie, while I was reading this post this morning, I got a call from the UAB Kidney Transplant Center telling me that my surgery to donate my kidney to a donor would happen in July. I am terrified and thrilled all at once, and hoping and believing that “going first” will be a catalyst for others to consider this important program.
Hugs,
April
Hi April! Thank you for your visit today!
What a coincidence! Except of course, there are none of those with the Lord, are there. I can understand that you would be scared, but I’m glad you’re thrilled too.
Best of blessings on your surgery in July. You are doing an amazing thing.
I’m sure this Holy Week and Easter will have special meaning for you. May you be richly blessed,
Ceil
I don’t know how you keep coming up with such good analogies, Ceil. This is another one to remember. We never know who’s watching and what effect our actions might have on them.
Hi Linda! I’m not too sure how I do it either! I guess that’s how my mind and spirit work
It’s so true. Who knows how we will influence others? We just might be part of the Lord’s plan to change a heart for him.
Have a blessed Holy Week and Easter my friend,
Ceil
Ceil: This makes me think. I like things that do that.
Hi Cecelia! Thank you so much for your kind comment.
Have a blessed Holy Week and Easter!
Ceil
Cheering you on from here as you continue to dive so gracefully…
Hi Mindy! Thank you my friend! And I’ll cheer you on too.
Have a peaceful night,
Ceil
Ceil,
You and your siblings are so brave…I have never learned to dive….and your analogy, so apt and makes me think of that verse in Hebrews 12:1(?) about a cloud of witnesses…and you are right about the power of example
Hi Dolly! Great verse, and I think it really fits here too. Thank you for mentioning it!
And thank you for your kind comment Dolly. I really appreciate your encouragement. I think we are all that ‘cloud of witnesses’ for each other.
Blessings
Ceil
Only His grace will lead me home. I can’t get there on my own merit- Thank God for Grace!
Hi TC! And only with grace can we lead. You have been so graced through your book, I’m sure you felt the love of God in you.
Thank you for your visit! Have a peaceful night,
Ceil
How fitting on Resurrection Week, when Jesus became our “Tommy,” taking the first step of laying down his life, so we could have friendship with God. Blessings on you and your family as you celebrate with the angels!
Hi Jeanette! What a beautiful interpretation of the post…I never put Christ and Tommy together. Thank you so much! It gives the words a depth I never anticipated.
Thank you for your insightful comment. I pray that you will have a blessed Holy Week and Easter.
Ceil
Ceil, My faithful friend, I’ve learned more about the importance of going before others and being a firm and faithful witness in these last 4-5 years of my Faith Walk with Christ than I think anything else. Eyes are watching us EVERYWHERE. More than in church during a pastor’s message, people learn about Christ from how Christ-followers behave. People who are good Christ-followers are natural leaders and thus disciples just by their witness!
Hi Kim! I really honed in on that last sentence of yours Kim. Good followers of Christ are natural leaders…that’s a wonderful theme for meditation.
I agree that our leadership does not stop while in the church building, but in our everyday lives. That’s where he needs us to make that difference. Beautiful comment my friend. Thank you.
May you be richly blessed by this Holy Week and Easter!
Ceil
Thanks sister for the encouragement. I do pray that God lead me where i can fonction as a leader. But, we of course can love first, forgive first, smile first and so on..
Hi Joy! I think all those ‘firsts’ are the best way to lead, don’t you? God uses us when we look the most like him. Love, forgiveness, joy…that’s all Jesus.
I pray you have a blessed Holy Week and Easter. Thank you for your visit, and two comments too!
Ceil
Great story! You know how I love a good true story! I’m with you. When we live with confidence and go our own way that is being directed by our Father, we’re never alone long. That’s how our Father uses His chosen leaders. Great post and point.
Hi Floyd! Thank you for the comment, you know I love those stories too. It’s so wonderful that Our Father uses us to lead others to him. What a wondrous responsibility!
Have a blessed Holy Week and Easter, my friend!
Ceil
Hmm! Have to say this post gave me something to think about–I’m a coward about a lot of things. And it gave me a bit of a smile because I got thrown out of swimming class when I was 10 or 11. After a year and a half in beginners, I finally learned to float and got moved to hi-beginners. However, at the first class we were taken to the deep end of the pool and told to jump in and–you guessed it–I refused. I was very aware that I couldn’t swim and wasn’t about to jump into 6 feet of water! However, I console myself and my cowardice by remembering that there are some “fearful” things that I do in spite of my fear–and always know, after the fact, that I gained from doing them!
Hi Sr. Ann Marie! Oh my, you’ve had quite a checkered career with swimming, haven’t you! I’m not so sure it was cowardice that kept you from jumping into that water. I think it might have been a very smart thing!
It is wonderful thing to be able to stretch and do something out of the ‘comfort zone.’ Well, as you said, not at the time, but later you can see the benefits. At the time, it’s just plain scary!
So nice to see you again Sr.! Have a wonderful Easter
Ceil