Don't Jumped Off As Yet

It was really humiliating, that day when I jumped off a moving truck. I seldom wanted to revisit this trip as it showed the weaker side of me. Yet, I often think of it, with a smile now though.

We were sitting atop a fully loaded highway truck, which was traversing through the mountainous road. The bumpy road passes through steep walls on the other side and deep gorges on the other.

Womenfolk and children joked their way through; huge laughter ensued each time after an unravelling bump of the truck, which comforted me in a way. I was not alone, however, since it was that part of the mountain I hardly travelled, I remained awestruck through the whole journey.

A highway near Khokawn — Stretch of a Highway; for reference only

As for me, I wanted to enjoy the trip in its entirety, but I’m deeply troubled inside. The truck was wobbling so hard that at one point everyone shouted out of anguish. This time, our truck was nearing falling down the deep gorge, as I saw it, and I got panicked.

When I got panicked, I don’t have time for a second thought. I cannot really recall what had happened in that few seconds of time.

So, I jumped off!

I jumped off the moving yet swaying truck. I found myself hanging in a small tree in the steep wall. To this day I was wondering where in the world that small tree came from. And it doesn’t end there.

The truck did not fell through the deep gorges; it was just another wobbling push due to the bad road condition. They waited for me once they cleared the bad stretch of the road.

It was embarrassing getting down the wall and walking down towards fellow passengers. It is one amongst the most embarrassing walks I could remember in my life. I simply smiled back without having the courage to look at the women folk.

If I could have hold on for a little longer, I’d be saved from the humiliation – the Embarrasing Walk.

Don’t Jump Off in Your Journey:

My living has been unstable. It was wobbling; the smooth ride does come in between, yet my unlimited desire to endure the smooth ride can mislead me. I wanted the glory of God be revealed without passing through the present sufferings.

Technically, my frail body witnessed severe wobbling, number of times, as it was seized by malfunctioning electron and neurons from the brain. The experience has never been easy for some ten years now. When our journey has been disturbed in a way beyond our control, it was sometimes hard to hold onto the faith.

We may find ourselves helpless; leading us to thoughts unlikely of certain men and women, which people couldn’t digest. However, in the panicky mode of our life, and that too in longer durations, we are bound to jump off this journey called Life.

In those situations there’s one thing we should remember; the journey’s not ours alone. We are only partaking with some group of people as we travel through a bit of different route set for our own good.

Don’t Jump Yet: Wait Quietly

It is good to wait quietly for the salvation of the LORD. (Lam. 3:26) We might be swaying or wobbling yet slowly moving forward.

The bad and bumpy road in the mountain, surrounded by deep gorges, was a normal road for some travelers. I was just joining for a journey which lasted for seven hours. However, I jumped off as I was focusing only in the intensity of the danger moments from my point of view.

In my quest for saving myself, I could have hurt myself should there be no small tree in the rocky wall. In the road I hardly traveled, I do not know when the bad stretch will be over. However, what is more important would be I make it to the other side. And not jump!

I could have hold on to the handle bars and waited just others did. All people cared for their life, they are afraid. Some said their prayers and trust in the Lord and he comforted them.

Don’t be Afraid:

There are times in life when being with good people, and same believes, still evades us from true comfort. Peter was with other disciples; together they only saw the waves and the winds but their teacher. (Matthew 14:25-27)

As Jesus was approaching, they were terrified but he said, “Take heart; it is I. Do not be afraid.” (v.27) Our God sees our journey through and through; he’ll appear in his appropriate time should we wait for him.

Many times in my life, I draw my conclusions and jumped to my own desires where I simply ended up hurting myself. I had jumped to the deepest places not fit for a disciple to do. Yet my Savior cares for me, with which I’m saved from embarrassments.

Wherever and whenever I jumped off from His hands, the abiding Savior catches me. Unworthy and filthy I may be he always pulled me out, in his love. So, it is time for me to hold onto my little faith and that my savior gets magnified in my life.

Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with My righteous hand. (Isaiah 41:10)

Jumping Off: Not the Solution

I get disheartened, at times, but I don’t want to. It is because there are circumstances where jumping off, is an unlikely solution. Those fear, sufferings, and difficulties will still follow us wherever we go. They would be our prize when we all get to heaven!

Paul, the apostle, had a thorn in flesh throughout his lifetime although it was not specified as to what exactly it is. He shared what God had told him: “My grace is sufficient for you, for my strength is made perfect in weakness”. (2 Cor. 12:9) In that way, there are things which needed to be endured till we’re in new heaven and earth.

By trying to jump off from all hardships, or things that do not fall as we desire, we’d simply be tormenting our delicate mind. And the best part here is; people will see the face of God even in our suffering.

Now as for me, I don’t know if my illness is for lifetime, which some people often says, but it would be to endure the pain with grace. Jumping off, although sometimes I wanted to, would lead to a greater disaster for me and me eternal soul.

Dear reader, it’s better to call you friends here if you read it through, let’s not jumped off while the bad stretch of our journey. We will wait on the Lord because God’s works are miraculous, in the ways we cannot see. I pray He’ll guide us to His purpose and desire; walking with Him closely throughout our journey.