Most of this past week I have been removing decals from the side of our RV but the last day and a half have had a bit of a twist.
The ladder. Not just any ladder, an extension ladder!
For days I had been able to work with both feet on the ground or on the wider, more secure steps of the step ladder. Once all the lower decals had been removed the only ones left to work on were the ones at the roof line. (Deep breath taken)
Up the extension ladder I went. I was definitely out of my comfort zone. I don’t like high ladders. They wiggle, the rungs are narrow…and did I mention they wiggle? Because my arms are short I was only able to apply the decal remover to about three feet of it at a time. This meant multiple trips of ascending and descending.
Yesterday I completed the one side. Monday I will be completely finished! But here’s what I learned on my many trips to the heights – I was more comfortable each time I climbed to the top. Although I had been shaky, hesitant and at one point some what frightened I now felt comfortable and able to complete my task feeling relaxed.
I had a better point of view!
I had learned to work with the ladder. I got rid of the wiggle, I had a routine for the things I needed to carry up and down. I was better prepared to do the job once I got to the top. Things went smoother.
Climbing that ladder I thought of the story of Abraham’s grandson, Jacob. He encountered a ladder in the wilderness. He was on a journey to find a wife but on the way he encountered the Lord.
“He took one of the stones there and put it under his head for a pillow. 12 And he had a dream. He saw steps going up from the earth to heaven. He saw the angels of God going up and down these steps. 13 And he saw the Lord standing above them. He said, “I am the Lord, the God of your father Abraham, and the God of Isaac. I will give to you and your children after you the land where you are lying… 15 See, I am with you. I will care for you everywhere you go. And I will bring you again to this land. For I will not leave you until I have done all the things I promised you.” 16 Then Jacob awoke from his sleep and said, “For sure the Lord is in this place and I did not know it.” 17 He was afraid and said, “This place is so different! This is none other than the house of God, and this is the gate of heaven.” Genesis 28:11-17 NLV
When we encounter the Lord we will have a better point of view.
It may be frightening at first. The Lord has a life plan for us; it will take us out of our comfort zone. It will require us to lay aside our small thinking and to see things from God’s point of view. But rest assured, we have the same promise from the Lord that Jacob did, “I will not leave you until I have done all the things I promised you”.
It’s time to climb higher. God will give us His point of view and it will be much better than our own.