The second to last command to paratroopers getting ready to exit the airplane is “stand in the door”… they’ve already heard “stand up… hook up…check equipment. They are ready to go… all the preparation is completed… they are just waiting for the final command.
It is much like our walk with the Lord. Before the Lord calls us forth, he prepares us, gets us ready, and tells us to listen for his voice. When Peter saw Jesus walking on the water, he was “standing in the door”… he was ready.
“And in the fourth watch of the night Jesus came to them, walking on the sea…. “Lord, if it is you, bid me come to you on the water.” He said, “Come.” So Peter got out of the boat and walked on the water and came to Jesus; but when he saw the wind, he was afraid, and beginning to sink he cried out, “Lord, save me.” Jesus immediately reached out his hand and caught him ….. (Mt. 14: 25-33)
There is a moment when Jesus tells us to step out of the boat. “David, it’s time to step out…you’re ready…it’s time.” We may be afraid like Peter was… we may not feel prepared, “oh Lord, I’m not sure…will you be there for me if I sink…if I fall…if my chute doesn’t open…. Lord is it really your voice I’m hearing?”
There are points in our lives when we need to step out, when we need to take the next step. It may be a small step, or it may be a BIG step. Maybe it’s something we’ve been wrestling with the Lord for a long time. Should I take that job, go on that retreat, ask that girl for a date, join that community, pursue a celibate vocation, etc. Is it time to “step out of the boat”?
Lord will you be there if I made a mistake…if I start to sink ? Peter began to sink and “Jesus immediately reached out his hand and caught him.” So Lord in this season of the Holy Spirit, also called Ordinary Time, give me the grace to say yes to your call and step out.
The final command for the paratrooper who’s “standing in the door” is GO!
When the Lord has prepared us and it’s time, the command for us is GO! Let’s go and enjoy the ride as the Lord leads us on a great adventure.
Dave's BLOG...There's Always More 
Great word, Dave. Thanks for sharing.
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A very encouraging word. Thanks Dad. Lord, help us to trust you.
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Jesus spends so much time preparing us for whatever mission he calls us to. But the time comes when the baby has to be born, a son or daughter moves out on their own, sickness takes over, that we have to keep saying JESUS I TRUST IN YOU and let him completely take over 🙌🏻 Thank God for grace to do that🙌🏻
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