When we engaged in track and field exercises during high school, we learned how to do the Fosbury flop for the best way to cross the bar in the discipline of high jump. There was great joy when I cleared 1.45m for the first time! After a recent back injury, I couldn’t jump at all -- even getting up from a chair was a painful exercise. No jumping for joy then! But even the current world record for men, which is at 2.45m, is kind of pathetic when you compare it with the height that snow fleas can jump. They are only between 1 and 2mm long, but they can jump 10cm high! If we were to jump the equivalent to our body size, we’d have to clear the bar at between 100 and 200m high! Snow fleas are not very well known, but are present pretty much everywhere in our woods (by the millions per cubic meter). They are common in flowerbeds, under logs, paving stones and landscape timbers. Woodpiles are also a common place for them to hide. The only time we really notice them is when their little dark bodies show up on top of the snow in late winter when thawing has set in. They appear like little specks of soot or dirt at first, but after observing them for a while you will see them jump. Snow fleas feed on the algae and even breed on top of the snow. They are extremely important for the whole decomposition process in which they have a vital part returning nutrients to the soil. The reason why they can jump so high is a catapult type body part at their tail end, called the furcula (Latin: diminutive of furca = fork) located on the underside of their abdomen. That’s why snow fleas are also called springtails. When they are disturbed, the furcula is released causing the little critter to be flung into the air. At times we all wish we had that much energy and enthusiasm to jump over hurdles that are in our way, but more often we are drained, depressed and down. We cannot produce the effort that’s needed to clear the bar. We feel paralyzed. There are problems that are way too big for us to solve, challenges too big to handle, adversities too big to overcome. But nothing is too big for our God! David declares in Ps.18:29 (NCV): “With God’s help I can jump over a wall.” Note: it’s not in our own strength that we can straddle our struggles – it’s only with God’s help. As Jesus said in Jn.15:5 (NIV): “apart from Me you can do nothing!” Yet with Him all things are possible. Paul testifies to that in Phil.4:13 (NKJV): “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.” And the apostles demonstrated this from the very beginning of the church. It was never about our resources and abilities, but always about the all-sufficiency of Christ. He alone can make us jump for joy! We read in Acts 3 (NIV): “One day Peter and John were going up to the temple at the time of prayer—at three in the afternoon. 2 Now a man who was lame from birth was being carried to the temple gate called Beautiful, where he was put every day to beg from those going into the temple courts. 3 When he saw Peter and John about to enter, he asked them for money. 4 Peter looked straight at him, as did John. Then Peter said, “Look at us!” 5 So the man gave them his attention, expecting to get something from them. 6 Then Peter said, “Silver or gold I do not have, but what I do have I give you. In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, walk.” 7 Taking him by the right hand, he helped him up, and instantly the man’s feet and ankles became strong. 8 He jumped to his feet and began to walk. Then he went with them into the temple courts, walking and jumping, and praising God.” Because of our great God we have reason to jump for joy. With Him we can leap over the barricades that seemingly block us from fulfilment. With Him, there always is energy, enthusiasm and encouragement. ![]()
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
AuthorsWe are a pastoral couple named Stefan & Heidi König. We have many years of experience in various ministries, and are thankful that God has given us this property to use as a way to bless others who need a place to relax and reconnect with Him. Kingfisher Spiritual Direction
Direct your heart to Jesus and restore your soul. If you need to hear from God, to grow deeper with Him, consider spiritual direction. An ancient discipline of soul care, Heidi is trained to prayerfully lead you in this practice. Archives
January 2018
|