Friday, January 23, 2009

THE TRAMPOLINE OF LIFE

Have you ever jumped on a trampoline? Do you remember how much fun it was? And did you ever utilize a friends jump to maximize your jump/flight? Ahhh, the excitement! Of course, I do recall jamming myself up pretty good too-miscalculating a friends jump to enhance my ejection.
I think Rob Bell's imagery here is helpful because I think it applies well to life in general-mind, body, and soul. Throughout our lives we've experienced the ups and downs, the highs and lows of what this life has to offer. We suffered our fair share of 'jams', but what keeps us going is the experience of the highs-not the lows. While we sometimes try to attain the same experience of our past, it is impossible because with each new day comes a new high.
Lets take the imagery a bit further, lets dig deeper into the whole 'springs' of life-that which make it possible for us to take flight, that help enable us to grow and see more of what God has intended for us.
The first set of springs that pop into my mind are the mentors in our lives and that could be family and friends. Without them we wouldn't have much of a support system and many of us wouldn't be where we are today without their encouragement and support through the good times and bad times. They are the 'infrastructure' or core of our trampoline of life. They are the ones we turn to when there is a crisis or when we face uncertainty. All of the people that helped shape us were provided by our loving Father and the bi product of their investment is us-our character, who we are when no one is looking.
The second set that comes to mind is of a spiritual nature. And I would have to say it's the enabling spirit of the Holy Spirit. While we recall Christ's words and message it is the Holy Spirit that enables us to take bold steps in His name-just like the disciples. The power of the Holy Spirit can move a person, a community, or a nation.
As time moves and we grow older our understanding of things change, they are stretched and flexed making us more effective as believers-we are able to share our understanding and experiences of the Holy with others because our looking lens has been altered.
The challenge is to keep using the trampoline of life-don't be scared of how high you can jump or think of the return to normalcy. This life has it's ebbs and flows and as God's children we need to continually discuss, study, experience, and reflect on our ever growing understanding of God. Don't be shy!

4 comments:

Amy said...

Hello. I'm Amy, Matt's cousin. I read the imagery Rob Bell created. The idea of the trampoline has got me thinking. I'm interested to know where the quote came from. I really would like to read the source.

Take care. Thank you for taking the time to read my comment.

Jeff said...

It's from Rob Bells book: Velvet Elvis
It's a good book and you can pick it up at pretty much any Christian bookstore in Lincoln.
I more or less ran with the analogy-I didn't really quote it. But let me know what you think about it when you do start reading it.
Glad you checked out the blog...come back and write again!
Oh and the previous blog was in reference to Rob Bell too-when I started reading. And if you like Mike Yaconelli and Francis Chan-check out Nov. and Dec. blogs.

Anonymous said...

Libie said..........Yes, in our lifetime we will have ups and downs. Our problem is that the only time we go or talk to God is when things don't go our way and we even blame Him (GOD)for that. I would say that we don't have manners or respect to our HEAVENLY FATHER. You see, what's in the BIBLE is His instructions to our lives in how we live. Jesus said in Matthew4:19, "come follow me". Jesus even tell us not to worry about our life, Matthew 6:25... And when you are in your low point here is one for you. "DO NOT LET YOUR HEARTS BE TROUBLED, TRUST IN GOD; TRUST ALSO IN ME..(Jesus)John 14:1 Jeremiah 29:11, talks about that He will never leave us nor forsake us. How wonderful is that. He wants for us to have good life. He wants us to store up our treasure in Heaven where moth andtust do not distroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also that is, if want good things in life. Matthew 6:20-21. Thank you Jeff.

Chris said...

Hey....I posted a really good comment here the other day - stupid computer....sadly I don't even remember what I said - but I know it was good.