When I was a kid, my Mom took me and my brothers and sister to a local swimming pool so we could learn how to swim. It was a rectangle shaped pool, with two diving boards at the end: the low dive and the high dive. The high dive was the crown jewel of the swimming experience. If you jumped off the high dive, you achieved the pinnacle of “kid success” in swimming class.

One day, toward the end of our swimming course, our instructor challenged us to make the jump. We had already jumped off the low dive time and time again, but none of us had ventured to the top of the high dive. 

Determined to take the challenge, I climbed the ladder and walked to the end of the board. My toes clung to the edge of the board as I looked down at the water. I thought, “This looks a lot higher than it did from down below.” 

From where I stood, the water may as well have been a mile away. I was nervous, but there was no way I was going to turn around and descend the ladder of shame. So, I raised my hands above my head (just like my instructor had taught me), took a deep breath, and then I jumped. When I came up out of the water, I heard the sweet cheers of victory.

Mission accomplished. 

From then on, jumping off the high dive became second nature.

Following God Off the End of the Diving Board

Swimming pools aren’t the only places we experience diving boards in life. God often leads us to places that require us to step off the board of our security into the pool of the unknown. That step requires both faith and trust. It requires us to let go of “what is” and step into “what could be.” 

God leads us up the high dive and then He stands behind us and gently pushes us to jump. He’s nudging, prodding, and speaking—inspiring us with a bold vision to leave what we know and jump into something new. 

But fear taunts us.

Fear tells us that such a step is irrational, illogical, even foolish. Fear whispers lies that make us doubt ourselves. Fear tells us that God would never lead us to the edge of the board. After all, God wants me to play it safe, doesn’t He? Safe is wise, right? 

As we look down, we can’t even see the water. A fog of doubt and uncertainty has formed between us and the pool. For all we know, the fog could be hiding certain failure. But God keeps nudging us and calling us. He assures us that He will be faithful. 

Here’s the ironic part. 

The same God that is pushing us to jump is in the water waiting for us to arrive. 

He’s here, and He’s there.

The question is, do we trust Him?

God wants to lead you outside of your comfort zone, far from Easy Street, into a place that requires you to trust Him. He wants to deposit a dream inside of you that makes a difference today, and for eternity. That kind of dream cannot be achieved in your own strength, with your own resources, and in your own wisdom. And that kind of dream is only found when you let go of your safe today and choose His vision of tomorrow. 

It’s not easy.

It feels unsafe.

But isn’t the will of God the safest place you can be?

You won’t be able to see all the details of the future God is leading you into. You’ll have plenty of unanswered questions. But the things that matter most in life always require trust. When God leads you to make the jump, He isn’t abandoning you. Take the step and He’ll be waiting for you.

This article is adapted from my new book, Stop Chasing Easy. Get your copy today at www.stopchasingeasy.com.