Let’s Stop Playing It Safe

This weekend I went with my friends to their church and the man who was filling in for their Pastor gave a wonderful message on faith! He was discussing the difference between taking “safe jumps” and leaps of faith when following God. The man told us a story of a time he went rock climbing to demonstrate this idea.

He said he was about halfway up and he came to a spot where he could not reach the next ledge to grab onto. He yelled down to his friends that he was stuck. They suggested he jump up to reach it. He was a bit apprehensive of jumping, afraid he would fall, so he took a “safe jump” and completely missed the ledge and fell. The second time around, he took a “leap of faith” and grabbed onto the ledge. After a few more steps, he reached the top!

In Hebrews 11, we see a number of Biblical examples of people who took leaps of faith for God:

•Noah (verse 7) - believed that God would send rain even though he had never seen it before.
•Abraham (verses 8-19) - willingly left for an unknown land and trusted that God would keep his promise to make him father of a great nation even though his wife had no children.
•Moses (verses 23-29) - led the people even against difficult odds.
•Gideon (verse 32) - that God would use him to defeat his enemies even though he felt insignificant.
•Samson (verse 32) - that God could still use him despite his mistakes.
•David (verse 32) - God can use even young and small people!
•Samuel (verse 32) - listened to God's instructions and obeyed them.

“All of these people, we have mentioned received God’s approval because of their faith” (vs.39).Because they had faith, “their weakness was turned to strength. They became strong in battle and put whole armies to flight” (vs. 34).

The story above does a great job at portraying the Truth that in life we must take leaps of faith when following God. We must demonstrate our faith and trust in the Lord by completely abandoning ourselves to His plans. Safe jumps will always miss the mark.

"Everything is possible for him who believes.” – Mark 9:23
“That’s what faith is. It’s putting your belief and trust in something or somebody outside of yourself, and then acting on that belief. “ – Joe Stowell, RBC Ministries

Today I challenge us to be “Faith Leapers!” Let us trust that the Lord is in control and has our best interest in mind. I pray that the Lord will give us the courage to stop playing it safe and make that leap of faith. After all, we can’t get anywhere if we aren’t moving. 

Blessings,
Shannon

“Dare You To Move” by Switchfoot
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iOTcr9wKC-o&a=0l0T6_mJ2JA&playnext_from=ML