Learn to Juggle

There were two men who one day decided that they were going to learn how to juggle.
They both went out and bought their juggling balls and instructions.
The first man never dropped a ball whereas the second man was constantly dropping the balls.

Now, a question for you. Which man do you think was making the most progress in trying to learn to juggle?
The first man who never dropped a ball or the second who was always dropping them?

You might think the answer is obviously the first man as he never dropped the balls.
You’d be wrong in thinking this though.
You see when you try to learn to juggle you can’t help but drop the balls. It’s all part of the learning process.

So, how did the first man never drop a ball then?

He never threw a ball up into the air in the first place.
He was too worried about dropping the ball and looking silly so he chose to not throw the ball up.
He had done all his research and got the equipment he needed but he just wouldn’t throw the ball up.

The second man however was throwing the balls up and was making progress.
Yes, he was always dropping the balls, but he just kept on picking them up and trying again.
One day he will be able to juggle.

When Father asks us to do something for him, and we know it is Father who is asking us, then we can then be like one of the two men above.

We can step out and follow His prompting to us or we can hold back, out of fear of getting it wrong.
We can try and throw the ball in the air, or we can be too concerned about dropping the ball and never throw it up.

Which one do you think Father wants us to be like?
The one who tries and sometimes gets it wrong or the one who never tries, and as such never moves on.

When we do drop the balls, (and I’m sure we all will at some point), is Father looking down at us saying, “You made a right mess of that one then.”

Or would he say, “Well done for trying.
You dropped the ball there but try not to worry about it.
Just pick it up, and try again.
I can see that you’re trying and I am well pleased with your efforts.”

Father,
Help us to follow You as You ask us to do your work.
Help us to KNOW that it is You who is asking us.
Help us to say YES to You.
Help us to not worry about getting it wrong but to just keep looking to You for our help and guidance.
Amen