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!