One summer, some of our family went paragliding. If you’ve experienced paragliding, you know how nerve-wracking it can be. Before the jump, I bombarded our guide with questions, trying desperately to calm my fears.
Geoffrey, our youngest, volunteered to go first. I could hardly watch as he took off!
15 yards…10 yards…5 yards…
“Stop!” our guide yelled. My heart sank.
“What happened?” the rest of us wondered.
“The wind,” the guide explained. “It stopped. Without it, he won’t make it to the safe zone.”
Eventually, the wind returned, and we each took our turn. By the end, we were all relieved and proud we had jumped. But later, I reflected on a sobering thought. How often have I “taken off” in life without trusting the wind of the Holy Spirit to guide me? As a result, how many of my God-given dreams had faltered?
There were certainly times fear or doubt held me back—wondering, Does God truly have my best in mind?—and other times, I simply didn’t wait on Him.
1 John 5:14-15 speaks to this: “This is the confidence we have in approaching God: that if we ask anything according to his will, he hears us. And if we know that he hears us—whatever we ask—we know that we have what we asked of him.”
Here, John reminds us our confidence in God is built through prayer and alignment with His will. When we trust Him, we gain clarity and strength to pursue His calling with competence and purpose.
We find a powerful example of this in Acts 13. Five men—Barnabas, Simeon, Lucius, Manaen, and Saul (later referred to as Paul)—gathered in prayer and fasting. During this time of seeking God, the Holy Spirit called Barnabas and Saul to embark on a mission for the work He had prepared for them.
It’s inspiring how these men’s unwavering confidence in God drove them to act without hesitation. They trusted His leading, and that trust enabled them to carry out their calling effectively. Their example highlights three qualities we should cultivate: empathy, empowerment, and effort.
Barnabas, often called “the son of encouragement,” modeled empathy beautifully. After Saul’s dramatic conversion, many Christians doubted his sincerity, but Barnabas stood by him, offering support and encouragement. True empathy doesn’t just feel for others; it feels with them, creating space for positive change.
Saul exemplified empowerment, using his gifts to teach, mentor, and equip others through his letters. He tirelessly focused on helping others grow in their faith and fulfill their callings.
All five men demonstrated incredible effort. Their willingness to pray, listen, and act paved the way for the spread of the Gospel and left a lasting impact on the early church.
Friends, we too can approach God with confidence, lean into His guidance, and work with all our hearts toward His purposes. When we do, we can see His dreams for our lives realized, soaring to heights we never imagined!
