A Leap of Faith

We’ve had a rough past year and as we’ve entered 2021, the enemy has not let up on his attack. As I thought about the global, national and personal crises we face, I was struck by the uncanny deceit of Satan. Picture him throwing everything he has at the world, at us, so fast that we can’t catch our breath. It’s like one wave after another. Maybe you feel that way too sometimes.

Have you ever seen an impala? It is a beautiful animal that lives in Africa with the ability to jump over ten feet high and leap farther than 30 feet. Imagine the impala running and jumping freely in a park or reserve. But despite this amazing gift, the impala can be easily restrained in a zoo enclosure with nothing more than a three foot high wall. Why? It doesn’t jump when it can’t see where it will land. It stays trapped within self-imposed limitations unable to take a leap of faith.

We are no different than the impala. When we lack faith or our faith is shaken, we stay behind walls of fear, doubt, insecurity and self-preservation. And yet faith is the very footpath to freedom. “It’s acting like something is so, even when it is not so, because God says so.” (Pastor Tony Evans)  It’s not an emotion, it’s an action.

A leap of faith is not an irrational, blind jump without foresight. The leap is part of our testing and proving of our faith. When things are the most crazy or most overwhelming, that's when you take that leap of faith because you know you are soundly supported by God’s promises.

The inability of the Jews to take that leap of faith when He came to them caused Jesus to weep over Jerusalem. When he looked out over the city He wept because they could not see ahead. They were impalas, their faith was weak. He knew the destruction ahead for them, but they couldn’t see their Savior standing right in front of them.

Do you feel overwhelmed right now or like the impala trapped within your own walls? What holds us back from being faith leapers? Lack of trust, trusting only in what we can see. It’s hopelessness, a lack of hope for the future. It’s the lies the enemy plants in our thoughts causing fear, doubt, and immobility.

Noah, Moses and Peter faced the choice to take a leap of faith or stay locked in the confines of their own thoughts. Noah built a boat in the desert because God told him to. He didn’t know what the future held, but he trusted God. Moses gave up his riches and honor of living in the palace to become who he was, a Hebrew slave. Just because he trusted God. Peter walked on water in the middle of a storm because he trusted Jesus. These were all faith leapers.

In the midst of our trials, we too can make the choice to take the leap of faith when required. Don’t let the lies of the enemy lead you to discouragement or depression because you can’t see where you’re going. When the mountains or obstacles are blocking your way, trust that Jesus is the Way Maker. Trust in His promises and don’t stay stagnant. Take that leap of faith. Even if you stumble or hit a tree as you leap, just keep leaping into the powerful, loving arms of Jesus.

“So be truly glad. There is wonderful joy ahead, even though you must endure many trials for a little while. These trials will show that your faith is genuine. It is being tested as fire tests and purifies gold--though your faith is far more precious than mere gold. So when your faith remains strong through many trials, it will bring you much praise and glory and honor on the day when Jesus Christ is revealed to the whole world.” 1 Peter 1:6-9

Prayer

Lord,

Faith is confidence in what I hope for and assurance about what I do not see. For the moment I received Your gift of salvation, I was blessed with a measure of faith. That measure is great enough to move mountains and it is strong enough to help me take a leap of faith. You are the source of my confidence and hope. I am assured by Your Word of what I can and can’t see. You are my Way Maker. I trust in You. Amen!


Photo by Kid Circus on Unsplash

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