In a sermon preached in 1866, Charles Spurgeon said, “Walking by sight is just this: “I believe in myself.” On the other hand, walking by faith means “I believe in God.”
The beginning of a new year offers endless possibilities, but we wonder if procrastination will hinder us again. We wonder if we will be in the same place in December as we are currently. As gradual human beings, we often desire to take faith steps where we incrementally move toward God’s desire. But there are instances when steps will not suffice, and God causes us to leap while clinging to Him. How do you handle life when it becomes uncertain and uncomfortable? What happens when a leap of faith is the only option? Allow me to offer a couple of suggestions that have helped me when God requires a leap:
Don’t Jump to Assumptions About God for Requiring a Leap
We, as humans, love to be comfortable. If it were left up to many of us, we would always choose the most comfortable option and never travel outside our comfort zones. When God positions us in uncertain positions that require leaps of faith, we are tasked with giving up control, and in all honesty, it is scary and frustrating. As uncertainty spreads, it is easy to assume that God is not with or punishing us. But leaps of faith are opportunities to experience the love of God more. Don’t allow feelings of fear and frustration to cause you to miss the loving provision of God that God reveals in the process.
Leaps of Faith Help Us to Stop Making Excuses for Ourselves
For years, I have set goals, some of which I step toward and achieve, and others I kick down the road for twelve months into a new year.
George Washington Carver once said, “Ninety-nine percent of failures come from people who have the habit of making excuses.”
God knows His children and requires leaps of faith from us to push us past the lies we tell ourselves and the excuses we constantly rest on. Faith steps keep us in some control, but leaps of faith require us to trust God entirely for our now and our future. God loves us but doesn’t want us to live without meeting our potential. Thus, required leaps of faith push us past mediocrity and excuse-making to where God wants us to be.
Understand that Going Back Hurts Us, and Going Forward Helps Us
Changes, transitions, and discomfort often leave us wanting life in the past instead of what we are experiencing in the present. Although uncertain leaps of faith make the past look beautiful and the present look scary and unfruitful, we must remind ourselves of Isaiah 43:18-19
18 “Forget the former things; do not dwell on the past.19 See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it?I am making a way in the wilderness and streams in the wasteland.
Seeking to return to a former season of life hinders us from embracing the new season with new blessings that God is making available right now. What do you do when a step of faith becomes a leap of faith? You embrace the latest adventure, understanding that you are not alone; God is with you every step of the way!
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