The African impala is a deerlike creature that can jump to a height of 3 meters (nearly 10 feet) and cover a distance greater than 11 meters (36 feet) in one bound. Yet the impala can be kept in a zoo enclosure with just a 1-meter-high wall. Why? Because it isn’t tall enough to peer over the barrier, and it won’t jump if it can’t see where its feet will land.
That’s like a lot of us—we often won’t take a leap of faith unless we can see where we’ll land. Abraham can show us another way.
Abraham was 75 when God’s call to leap came. He was old and childless, but he was called to found a new land and start a nation (Genesis 11:30, 12:1-8). God gave no details where Abraham was to walk or how he would have a child, saying only, “Go to the land that I will show you. I will make you into a great nation” (Genesis 12:1-2, Genesis 17:5).
Leap from the enclosure, Abraham—leap!
Abraham leaped. He set out in faith (Genesis 12:4-6), soon found his land (Genesis 12:7), later had his son (Genesis 21:1-5), and became the father of a great nation (Hebrews 11:12). God guided Abraham’s feet, but only after he took the leap of faith.
On three occasions I believe God has led me to leap from my comfortable enclosure. In each case I’ve left a secure job without knowing what lay ahead.
Leap from the enclosure, Sheridan—leap!
I will guide your feet, but first you must leap.
And in each case God has led me to a place of greater service and impact. I’m not a perfect role model, though. I’ve fretted about money and the future. But I’ve learned this about walking by faith: We’ll rarely know the outcome before we make the leap, and we’ll rarely know the destination before we begin to walk.
Is God calling you to leap? Then leap!
NLT 365-day reading plan passage for today: Acts 9:32-42
More:
Read Hebrews 11:1 and consider what real faith requires.
Next:
When did God last call you to take a leap of faith? What is He calling you to trust Him bravely for today?
Gary Shultz on October 22, 2015 at 7:16 am
Leaping is a crazy thing. I have not been led to make big leaps too often, so in reading your article I must also conclude there is much living to be done between leaps. When I was younger I took a few leaps to discover I just wanted to jump, God really had not called me to rocket into certain things. So I became a very cautious leaper, not that I don’t trust God, I don’t trust me. Sure enough, one career change leap was made very clear to me. I don’t actively look to be leaping and I don’t have to because I know God can make it abundantly clear to a coconut-head like me when it is really time to jump. Thanks, happy landings.
jim spillane on October 22, 2015 at 12:24 pm
Good morning Gary, I’m a bit troubled by your statement “not that I don’t trust God, I don’t trust me.” If you look at the second half of Hebrews 11:1 you will see that in reference to a “leap of faith” you need “the conviction of things not seen.” It’s not about you, it’s about you trusting Almighty God. Have the courage of your convictions and He will see you safely through. Praise the Lord.
Tom Felten on October 22, 2015 at 11:13 am
Sheridan, I’ve also experienced God’s call to leap during different seasons of life. He’s even given me a little shove forward a few times! 🙂 But, as you mentioned, I’ve found such growth and amazing opportunities by stepping out in faith with Him.
Gary Shultz on October 23, 2015 at 6:43 am
Thank you Jim. Maybe I should state it this way – When God directs I do believe one should take the path that has opened. I have rushed into several things that became dead ends and certainly not glorious endings. Yeah, it was me, and I don’t trust my own judgement, “lean not on our own understanding” I’m on board with you, I just got confused to what I think I heard and in reality it was not the clear direction of God. So, I really get torn about clear, I mean crystal clear direction of God. I have to make sure it’s not some half boiled idea of my own. Thanks for being patient.
ifeoluwa on October 25, 2015 at 1:19 pm
I have been faced with some situations in life in which I had to leap ( even though I was doubtful) and God was faithful, I never regretted leaping. Sometimes, the road is not clear, but God expects us to take a step of faith. Thank you Sheridan.
Winn Collier on October 28, 2015 at 5:38 pm
we often do have to jump without having any idea where we’ll land, don’t we. I hate that.