Yesterday I took a leap of faith and it reminded me of the leap of faith God asked me to take a year and a half ago. For the most part, the initial step to come on the Worldrace was an easy one for me. I was excited and ready for the adventure of something new. The thought of giving away my money, my time, and my life didn’t scare me. It only took a few days and a few conversations with my best friend to solidify my decision. I walked downstairs and had a conversation with my parents where I basically said “Mom, Dad, I’m doing this thing for God and as much as I love and respect you, I’m not asking for your permission because my decision has already been made. I’m asking for your blessing but no matter your answer, i’m going.” As you can assume, they were shocked to say the least and a bit apprehensive. (I love you mom and dad ??) I think that’s what a leap of faith is though: part apprehension, part excitement, full abandon and full trust in something bigger than yourself. At the time, I didn’t really know why I wanted to go so bad, I just knew I needed to despite people all around me telling me I couldn’t or shouldn’t. People I loved the most and still love immensely told me not to go, that is was dangerous, not the “smart thing to do”. They said this out of love and I appreciated it because they were trying their best to look out for me but again, I think those things are all part of a true leap of faith. A leap of faith looks crazy on the surface and a leap of faith doesn’t always look smart but imagine if you never took leaps of faith in life. Where would you no longer be? What experiences would you be missing out on? Who would you no longer know? Who would you no longer love?
Life is full of Leaps of faith. Some people take them and decide to put their faith in money, in people, and in promises. Sometimes those leaps are beautiful. Sometimes those leaps fail and people become wounded. A year and a half ago I decided to take a leap of faith with someone who wouldn’t fail me, someone who would heal my wounds and teach me how to love again and now that this whole thing is over, I wouldn’t take it back for the world because now, Jesus is my world.
The physical leap of faith I took yesterday was when I decided to bungee jump off of Victoria Falls on the boarder of Zambia and Zimbabwe. Ever since I was around 12, I have wanted to go bungee jumping. I don’t think 12 year old me would have ever imagined I would be in Zambia, Africa Jumping from one of the highest bungee jumping locations in the world, next to one of the 7 wonders of the world with some of the most amazing people I have ever met by my side. Much like when I decided to follow Jesus and spread his love around the world, the decision to Jump was a quick, all in, excited, fully yes, no holding back sort of thing. When I decided to jump, I didn’t ask for anyone’s permission (ya know, besides the whole can we fit this into the budget) but rather if they supported my decision and were excited with me.
****[Brackets]= bungee jumping on June 27th———//Slash= Worldrace ****
[When I was being strapped in, I was nervous yet excited. I had wanted to do this for so long and knew this was it, this was my time.] //I applied, got accepted, and started to raise support. [I took a breath and looked around at the people telling me “you can do it!” and “it’s time!”.] //I had my friends and family who would support me through this whole race. [ When I stepped up to the platform, I inched my way to the edge and for a split second grabbed my guide on the shoulder in fear but quickly said “no, I’m gonna do it. Faith like a child, leap of faith, yes!”] // As I prepared for the race, with distraction seeping in, I doubted a good amount. I feared that I wasn’t ready but then God kept shouting “I will provide. I will qualify you. I didn’t call the qualified, I qualified the called and you are who I called. Put your hand on my shoulder, use me for support and Jump. Have faith that I will never break connection with you. [So there I was, 111 meters above the water and I took the Leap, rightfully terrified yet suddenly so free. When I jumped off of that platform I screamed with adrenaline and then went silent as I let the fullness of what was happening at that very moment sink in. I was free falling and the world was still. I had no fear anymore because the thrill was happening and I knew and trusted that something would catch me.]
//When I took the leap of faith to follow Jesus and come on the race, I was excited and yet so nervous. Much of the Race was so hard. I have seen things in this world both good and bad that I never could have imagined I would. I experienced hurt and pain, loss and rejection, all the things that make your heart break and, quite literally, a necessary amount of screaming resulted. I think the screaming is necessary though because just like how part of the thrill of bungee jumping is screaming for a bit, it’s only natural to freak out on the race. I also experienced all of the things that give your life meaning and fill you with overflowing joy. The smiles of a child, the laugh of a disabled woman, and the sounds of a babbling baby that has stolen your heart. Both are just part of the experience and thrill of the race, the leap, and just life in general. The world race in its essence was incredibly freeing and when I accepted the fact that this was the life God had for me, I stopped screaming, I let the fullness of this life on missions sink in and I allowed myself to free fall into the greatness and love of Jesus Christ. I looked around at my life that God gave me and saw beauty and wonder that was given to me by the one and only savior and creator of the universe.
[When I hung there at the bottom of the gorge I looked around at all of the beauty around me and just took it all in. I saw gushing water, mist, and a beautiful rainbow. I was proud of myself for what I had done and had extreme joy as I was being lifted back up towards the bridge.]
//I have run this race and have finished strong. I am proud of the leap of faith God pushed me to and I am proud of taking it. I am proud of the things I have done, places I have been, love I have poured out, wisdom I have received, and woman of God I have become. I am thankful for this life God has made for me. I know now that being lifted back up to the platform, coming back home and being thrown back into the now non-normality of America is another leap of faith I have to take. Like when I bungee jumped, I am terrified and yet so excited. I have faith that I will not fall to the ground because Jesus is there to catch me. I have faith that it will be good because when you say yes to the Lord, sometimes it’s scary, sometimes it’s exciting, and sometimes it’s both at the same time but no matter what, all his promises are yes and Amen. This next season in my life, my whole life, will be a good one. I know that I am called to live a life of saying yes, taking leaps of faith, and free falling into the fullness of Jesus and an abundant life WORTH LIVING.//
