bounce bounce bounce

I have been reading Rob Bell’s book, Velvet Elvis the past couple of weeks and one of his metaphors has stuck in my mind. It is about his trampoline and faith. It sticks because it reminds me of many times I have been with middle school students in the same sort of setting he describes.

The other day I was at Isaac’s house for a family dinner and as the food was being prepared the kids in the family and I messed around in their large backyard with footballs, Frisbees and their trampoline. Our time turned into a talent show of sorts as four out of the five kids took turns showing off what amazing things they could do on the trampoline. I swear I saw half a dozen near death experiences in fewer than ten minutes as they flipped, twisted and bounced for glory.

Then it was my turn. They challenged my to try the same things they had been doing. My cynical side suspected they just wanted to see death up close and figured I would be as good as anyone but in actuality I think they had pure motives. They desired that I experience some of the same exhilarating fun they were having. The rush of bouncing eight feet into the air, of being bounced to unexpected heights thanks to the timing of others on the trampoline.

I had a blast. However I need to be honest and admit that I was a wuss. Somehow in my old age I have become fearful of pain and go to great lengths to avoid it. But even in light of my limited willingness to experience all that the trampoline had to offer I had an amazing time.

Bell writes that our faith should be like jumping on a trampoline. I tend to pick metaphors apart and as my friend Cory points out I am cynical. But somehow this image has stuck with me this past week. I want to be experiencing Christ and all the joys and fears and risks that that involves and because of what comes from that ongoing experience I want to invite others to jump with me. Not because I am supposed to or because doing so makes me a better person but because I care about others and I want them to be part of something amazing.

That of course means that I need to think it is worth jumping myself. Do I believe that a life in Christ is something I would want those I love to have as well? Do I live what I confess with my mind? Do I find joy in a life in Christ? I am commanded to be joyful, not necessarily happy, but joyful. Am I?

God help me to learn to jump and by your grace invite those around me to do the same.