Out On A Limb

It was the biggest, most impressive tree I had ever seen as a child and it resided at the house of my grandmother’s friend. My brother and I would arrive at her home, give the dutiful hug and kiss and run outside to begin our climb. As a child, I don’t remember worrying about where the climb would take me nor did I give much thought to stepping out on a limb. We climbed to our heart’s content until mom noticed and said, “no higher.”

There was such freedom in climbing. Anticipation of the journey was in the forefront of our minds and adventure was motivating. We did not entertain worrying about “what if” scenarios. Stepping out to try something new and different was embraced as a challenge, so we climbed and climbed.

Today, I seem to find myself at the base of the tree. And if you are climbing, I will cheer you on and encourage you all day long. But, don’t ask me to come along. It feels safer on the ground. I don’t want to find myself out on a limb. I might freeze or panic or worse yet, fall. It appears that I may have traded in the freedom of climbing and the anticipation of adventure for the confinement of apprehension and “what if” scenarios. 

What happened?

What if, is what happened. As a child I didn’t climb the tree in search of adventure and with each step ask, ‘what if the limb gives way’ or ‘what if I have a misstep?’ I climbed with determination to get to the top so I could see. 

The very thing that stop us in our tracks is what if’s. They conjure up all sorts of lies as to why we can’t and why we shouldn’t. They do nothing more than hold us back and keep us captive, precisely what the enemy wants.

Zacchaeus, the famous tax collector, short in stature, was the only person in scripture known for climbing a tree. He heard about Jesus and was determined to catch a glimpse, so up the Sycamore tree he went. He received more than he bargained for. Not only did Zacchaeus get to see Jesus clearly, he had an encounter that changed his life forever. 

“When Jesus reached the spot, he looked up and said to him, ‘Zacchaeus, come down immediately. I must stay at your house today.’ So he came down at once and welcomed him gladly.”

Luke 19:5-6

If it’s time to step out on a limb, do it! Jesus will certainly be at the base of the tree with an invitation you won’t want to miss. It might just be a life changing experience.

“Growing old is mandatory but growing up is optional.”

-Walt Disney

I believe it is time to climb the tree.