A leap of faith. Or not.
I stood at the end of a long, narrow sandbox. The rake that had only seconds ago been used to smooth the sand lay on the dew-damp grass to my right. I lined up my feet at the boxes wooden edge . I flexed my knees. I bounced 3 small bounces in time with my swinging arms. On the fourth bounce, I pushed off with all my might. I tried to fly. (Something that would now defy the laws of physics—let’s just say carrying 3 children has greatly changed my “center of gravity”.) 25 or so years ago- it was more practice and perseverance than defying the laws of physics.
“Don’t fall backwards. Don’t fall backwards.” I chanted to myself.
Time stood still until I landed. Inevitably- reality landed just ahead of me. My feet squished into sand. Legs squatting, nose burning with the smell of “Ben-Gay”, I tottered. More often than not, I stumbled. I fell. In the “Standing Broad Jump” A stumble- fall or other touching of the sand- requires another attempt. You’re allowed 3 attempts- the longest of which becomes your final length.
Faith- is sometimes like that. There are times when we see a challenge- line up our toes at the edge and launch ourselves forward. We stick our landing, we feel the rush of faithfulness and God’s presense. A leap of faith.
Then there are times- when we cautiously line up our toes- launch……and stumble. A hand reaches back to catch ourselves. Mid-air we get afraid. Our arms and legs start to flail. We land- but we stumble.
Worse yet. We launch- lose our balance on the landing and fall flat on our backsides. We start down a path God has shown- but we flop like a fish our of water- trying to change direction midair. We land hard.
For some reason- we only seem to appreciate the leaps of faith. We stand in awe of people who clearly hear God’s voice and rise to His challenge or follow His lead without falter. Theirs is the measure we long to achieve. The Blue Ribbon of faith.
But, what about the rest of us? Are we in some holy do-over? What if we don’t stick the landing on the third attempt? What if we stumble? What if we doubt? What if we reach out to steady ourselves, or land flat on our tush? Are we disqualified?
I doubt it. Abraham wasn’t. Abraham often called the father of faith- and listed in God’s very own hero’s of faith- stumbled. You may even say he landed flat on his backside. Look through a few scenes of Abraham’s life- He questioned God’s plan. He lied to save his life. This is the Father of Faith? Yes- over time, Abraham became more and MORE faithful . His stumbles and falls changed to leaps of faith.
Abraham’s faith grew, from tiny seed – (or weak muscle) to huge tree and strong jumping legs. Although he stumbled maybe even fell- God counted it as faith.
Today- maybe you’re standing at the end of a long narrow sandbox. Is your heart pounding with fear? Are you afraid you’ll stumble? Are you afraid you’ll fall? Have you already been launched in faith- but now- you are mid air- arms and legs flailing, trying to catch yourself? Did you just land hard on your backside, and feel totally defeated?
Sniff the air. It’s NOT defeat. It’s spiritual “ben-gay.” You are NOT disqualified. You are in faith-training. See? Look to your right. That rake that just smoothed out the divot where you landed on your backside? That’s God’s grace. He knows what it will take to train you. He’s planned it all along.
Matthew 17:20 NIV
” I tell you the truth, if you have faith as small as a mustard seed, you can say to this mountain, ‘Move from here to there’ and it will move. Nothing will be impossible for you.”
Hebrews:1:1-2 NIV
“Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see. This is what the ancients were commended for.”
Dear Lord- Today I pray that we’d find faith. I pray that we’d have the courage to be trained in faith like Abraham was. I pray that you’d grow and mature our faith. I pray that whether we’re sailing along or stumbling on the ground that you’d be there to rake our path clean- with you’re grace. Take our tiny mustard seeds- and grow them, Lord- I love you amen.
Tracey—I love that analogy. What a neat way to view faith. You are so right too. The times I have fallen into the sand (which felt like a pit) are countless….oh for the grace that reaches down to us….
Thanks for sharing such a neat post!
This was just wonderful Tracey. I am so encouraged as I read scripture and realize the people that God chose to tell us about, the people He loved unconditionally failed as often as they succeeded. He gives me great hope!
“His stumbles and falls changed to leaps of faith.”
What a great way to look at Abraham’s life. Thanks for helping me to see some of my stumbles and falls in a new way.
Oh Tracey,
Just a precious message. I will never think of Bengay the same. Never. Your words…. What if we doubt….. They trouble many of us. But it is Grace on our backsides that makes everything okay.
Wonderful post. Love you my friend, Lynn
Oh, Tracey – that is so true. Sometimes it feels like I don’t have enough faith to take a leap. But I do know in my heart that He will always catch me, even when I fall.
Thank you so much for the encouragement – I needed to read this today.
Blessings to you and yours. (funny thing – my spam word is ‘mercy’)