by Kelly White
Here we are, more than half way through our Leap of Faith (LoF) experience. Some of us have seen God move in dramatic ways, some have seen a slow trickle towards ultimate answers and some of us feel like we are moving through quicksand or worse yet, moving backward.
Together, we’ve been asking God for specific things which are on our heart. While these “asks” are very specific, we are also learning we need to be open handed as to what those answers look like.
The other day I was talking with a friend about her ‘leap’ experience. She expressed that she felt awkward asking God for things… like it was putting restraints on how God should answer her prayers. My friend felt wrong asking God for things that were on her heart.
So what does success in this LoF look like?
Maybe it looks like movement. Movement in answered prayer, in our hearts, in our faith, in our perspective. We are all praying for ultimate answers. We are all hoping that the answer from God is a resounding, “Yes!” But for some of us, success will be a change of attitude or perspective toward the situation. The illness may not disappear. The child may not be conceived. The job may not materialize. Yet God is still at work for good in our lives. Our job is to see where He is at work. We never give up asking for specifics, but we keep ourselves open to God’s idea of success.
As we engage with God in the remaining days of the Leap let’s ask ourselves what does success look like? Is success exact answer to prayer and nothing else? Or will we dare to be open to the movement of God? A change of heart, a change of perspective, a growing devotional life and relationship with Christ.
We will be rewarded for this leap even if it is in ways we are not expecting. Taking this Leap of Faith step in the first place is a huge success for all of us. We are pressing into God in ways we haven’t before. Jeremiah 29:11 says that God has good plans for us. Many of us have heard this verse before. But the prophet goes on, “‘In those days when you pray, I will listen. If you look for me wholeheartedly, you will find me. I will be found by you,’ says they Lord. ‘I will end your captivity and restore your fortunes'” (Jeremiah 29:12-14a NLT). Our captivity and lost fortunes are the desires we are praying for in our Leap. Our Leap of Faith is the means by which we are seeking God wholeheartedly. God promises He will be found. He is WITH US! That is success! Our hearts will change, our perspectives will change, our prayers will be answered. In all of this God is on the move. This movement toward God, toward faith, this is success in our Leap of Faith.
I asked the Lord for a bunch of fresh flowers
But instead He gave me and ugly cactus with many thorns.
I asked the Lord for some beautiful butterflies
But instead He gave me many ugly and dreadful worms.
I was threatened.
I was disappointed.
I mourned.
But, after many days, suddenly,
I saw the cactus bloom with many beautiful flowers.
And those worms became beautiful butterflies flying in the wind.
God’s way is the best way.
– Dr. Chung-Ming Kao, during his 4 year imprisonment.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
Kelly White and her husband Travis live in La Mesa and host a Life Group in their home – they call it the “best Life Group on the planet!” Kelly is nearing completion on her MA in Int’l Studies at Fuller Theological Seminary.
