Up on a ledge where I spent a good part of my day
And all I could do is look down at the water and wait
Gather up all, gather up all, gather up all
Your courage and step off

Hurry and jump, if you don't now we're gonna be late
We've checked it for rocks and we've all done it ten times today
So gather up all, gather up all, gather up all
Your courage and step off

The cold hit my skin like a shock, I looked up I could see
The surface is close enough, soon enough I'll again breathe
I reached the top, filled my lungs "did you see?" I asked my friends
They weren't even looking so I went and did it again.

(c) 2002 Jamie Wesley Hilsden

The first time I ventured the hike in the beautiful Yehudiya valley northwest of the Kinneret, I was warned to stretch well first. It wasn't just a nature walk. I enjoyed the rigor of the climbs, inspired on by the fresh vistas at every turn. As we criss-crossed creeks, I carefully rolled up my pant legs, even removed my shoes and socks, so I wouldn't get wet.

Then we made a turn and found ourselves on a ledge, the one described in Jamie's song. I laughed at myself for trying to keep dry. There was only one way forward, and that was to jump thirty feet down into a turbulent cauldron of ice-water (fresh from snowy Mt. Hermon), or to go down through the edge of the waterfall, relying on a rope ladder. I hadn't been warned about this.

Putting the contents of my back-pack into a plastic bag, I breathed deep and ventured down the rock wall. Stepping off was not an option for me. I'm neither a diver nor a great swimmer, nor a masochist. The swim to the far ledge took all of the resolve I could muster, and I felt triumphant when I arrived. With that behind me I continued the hike, rounding the corner to find, to my dismay, another ledge, another waterfall, another pool at the bottom. This one was equipped only with grips on the rock and also led down through the spray of the icy water. I realized that unlike the last ledge, this one offered no going back. It was forward or nothing.

Have you ever found yourself in that kind of a squeeze? You must take a huge step of faith in order to go forward, and it looks like it will require every ounce of courage.

Is God asking you to make a difficult confession, give a large gift, quit your job and enter the unknown? Have you been given a task or role for which you feel unfit? Is your calling suddenly offering challenges that stretch you to the limit?

Like Yeshua held his hand out to Peter, venturing out of the boat into stormy seas, he's doing the same to you. His hand is clutching yours and saying, "It's okay, I've got you." Step off, and the angels will cheer.

Read and meditate on: Joshua 5:1-9; Psalm 27:14

Lord, I hear You today saying, "gather up all your courage and step off", and I see You with arms to catch me. Wherever You call me, You will help me. Whatever happens, I'm safe and secure with You. And I can do ALL things through [You] Who strengthens me! (Phil. 4:13) I praise You and thank You!