Ready, Set, Leap

Last week at church camp I learned how to climb a tree, and I also learned that it is expected for you to jump down instead of climb down. I was unaware of this expectation until I was in the tree. It was a new week with new friendships to be made and deeper connections. I felt adventurous. My youth pastor happened to walk by as I timidly sized up the tree. Keep in mind, I am embarrassingly afraid of heights. Like, “two feet off the ground is too high” kind of embarrassing. He gracefully instructed me to step in the “V’s” of the tree. I got up there, and when I was told to jump down my stubbornness revealed itself. I stood in the tree for a solid two minutes debating if I should take the leap or attempt a climb down. The boys at the bottom instructed me how to land once I jumped, and I so vividly remember the feeling of trying to muster up the courage inside of me.

That night at service my youth pastor asked us what God had been speaking to each of us. I shared the story of my adventure with the tree because it so much resembles our Christian life. We walk with God, and He leads us to a hill - or a tree - and He instructs us, step by step, on how to climb it. The steps may be shaky, unsure, but we take it one at a time and trust His instruction. We make it to a high point on the hill / tree and celebrate the victory that we made it. God celebrates with us at the victory of obedience. Then many times after the climb and the process of building our faith - He asks us to take a leap of faith. The leap looks scary and no one wants to fall, but we have to remember that He didn’t let us fall while we were climbing.

I know that recently God has asked me to have faith and start on an assignment that He has laid on my heart, but let’s be honest, it’s really hard. I’m scared. I’m afraid it won’t be perfect or special. I don’t feel like I can do the calling justice. Do you see the problem with the last three sentences? The subject of the sentence was “I” not “we” or “Him.” When I begin to feel that way is because I’ve lost sight of God and am too absorbed in myself.

There are so many people that had faith in the Bible, but when I think of taking leaps of faith I am reminded of when Jesus first told His disciples to follow Him.

“Then one of the teachers of the religious law said to Him,’Teacher, I will follow You wherever You go. But Jesus replied, ’Foxes have dens to live in, and birds have nests, but the Son of Man has no place to even lay his head.’ Another of His disciples said, ’Lord, first let me return home and bury my father.’ But Jesus told him,’Follow me now. Let the dead bury their own dead.” Matthew 8:19-22

Verse 22 initially struck me as harsh, but then I realized what He meant. How many times does God ask us to do something and instead of responding in obedience we say, ”Okay, but first…” I know I’ve done it. Jesus was telling this man to leave it all behind. You are a new creation when you begin following Jesus.

“For My yoke is easy and my burden is light.” Matthew 11:30

If you are having trouble starting or taking that leap of faith I encourage you to look back on your life. How many times has God shown up for you? I see God’s faithfulness and it increases my faith in Him. He’s got my back, and He’s got yours too. He won’t let you fall, so get ready to step out in faith. I want you to think of something that scares you. (There’s a longggg list for me!) Think of something that God has asked you to do that you’ve been a little hesitant about. Maybe praying for someone in public? Inviting someone to church? Singing the worship song or writing the book? Whatever it is, let's count to 3, and after we’re done here I pray that you have the courage to start on the task. Fear will no longer keep us paralyzed.

1..2..3...

Ready, Set, Leap!!!!

P.S. After lots of encouragement, I took the leap of faith - literally out of the tree and with God :) You can too!