We were asked to write an essay called “This I Believe” about what really matters to us, as preparation for this world missions adventure called the World Race. This is what I believe…
When we stand around, we don’t know how comfortable we are until we leap!
4 years ago, I was enrolled in a rock climbing course. I had never done anything like this before so I was nervous, a bit anxious, and very excited. The instructors informed us that in order to climb the rock face, we had to first rappel down from the top. So as I was being tied in to my harness, trying to listen to every little detail of what the instructor was saying so I may survive this excersize, I had alot of thoughts going through my mind. Do I trust this guy? Is this rope going to hold me? Do I trust myself not to panic as I go down the cliff face? After a few short minutes to build up my confidence from looking down the 20 meter cliff I just said, “Lord, here we go!” and I leaned back without hesitation and put my full weight on the the rope………
Essentially I had taken one of my biggest “leaps of faith” in my life. It was a moment of trust. A moment of letting go all of my control I had and relied on things I couldn’t control. Since then I have been more trusting in others and most importantly in God!
Isaiah says, “So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.” – Isaiah 41:10
Since that experience of “letting go” I have come to grips and comfort with the whole concept of rock climbing. I enjoy it regularly now and have no fears in it. I wouldn’t be nearly where I am without taking that leap of faith! As a person who finds God in the natural world and through immersion in it, this expereince reflects my walk with God. I have taken steps and jumps with things that I didn’t know were possible. Things I didn’t know I was capable of. And things I learn daily about God himself. Everyday is a leap of faith for me. A leap into the unkown. A leap to know that there is in fact solid ground beneath me!
God calls us all to a life bigger than we have come to know. He is calling us to go and be.
Then I heard the voice of the Lord saying, “Whom shall I send? And who will go for us?” And I said, “Here I am. Send me!” – Isaiah 6:8
God is calling me to take another leap of faith and just like the prophet Isaiah, I said “Here I am Lord, send me!”
