One of the highlights of my visit to Zambia last month was seeing majestic Victoria Falls. For the thrill-seekers, there’s an extreme way to experience the scene—by leaping off a bridge on a bungee line. I suffer from a high IQ, so I declined. But others in my group gave it a try.
Magestic Victoria Falls. (Jon Warren/WV)
What I’ve heard from bungee-jumpers and skydivers and other temporarily crazy people is that the first time is scary, but after that, you love it and want to do it again and again. I found that to be false with one of my Zambia trip mates. He’d signed up not just for bungee-jumping off the falls but also zip-lining and riding a swing that starts with a 200-foot free-fall. After he tried the bungee, he canceled the other stuff—one leap was enough.
There are obvious parallels here to the leap of faith. Most people don’t do it repeatedly—once in a lifetime is usually all you can handle. And God won’t usually ask for more. When you leap in faith, God will land you well, in the place where He wants you to be. And that’s solid ground, not dangling helplessly from a rope.
For me, the leap of faith was to answer God’s call on my life in 1998. What was your leap? What did you learn, and where did you land?
In June 2007 I had a major heart attack. Given my lifestyle at the time, this was completely unexpected. So, lying in the ICU completely immobile gave me time to ponder why this had happened. Came to the conclusion, for the second time in my life, God wanted my attention. He got it. All of it. Again. This time, I felt a strong call to mission work and have since done construction work and taught ESL in Guatamala, New Orleans (post Katrina) and recently, India. The latter was by far the biggest, in many senses, leap of faith. What I found working at the one-of-a-kind ashram in India could fill many, many pages. I realized just how truly blessed I am, how little love there really is in such a congested, male dominated society and how distorted my perception was from their reality. So in April 2012 I’m getting out of my comfort zone again and going back for another month as a leap of faith that I may just be able to make a difference in at least one person’s life.
Our leap of faith was about 2 and half years ago when my husband and I decided to start taking in foster children. We did not have children of our own and I knew I wanted to adopt since a young age growing up in Brazil. Our first placement was a 6 day old little girl who’s mother was HIV+. She also had severe problems with food. Her little body could not break down intact protein and she had severe colic and was bottle fed until she was 15 months old. It was the hardest thing my husband and I ever done in our lives, we had to be completely depended on GOD for strength even though we felt like GOD had abandoned us because it was so difficult. The baby would scream and cry at every feeding 24 hours a day for 15 months. We were able to adopt her when she was 18 months, she is over her colic and she thank GOD did not contact HIV from her mother. We are now in the process of adopting 2 little boys with the same start as our adopted daughter. Your book is amazing and it has helped us tremendously. Thank you so much for following your calling and writing about it. Your story has given us strength to keep going!!!
I hesitate to share my story because it seems like so many others have struggled with more severe difficulties, with much greater strength of faith. The truth is, when I leapt I knew very little about God and His plans for me. I was simply stepping onto a bus that I hoped would take me and my baby girl far away from a life of violence and abuse. I arrived not only in a new town, but a new world of possibilities. Now I continue down this path His grace has shown me. I still have much to learn, and some day I hope to teach others of His Love…
Where can I find a list of your speaking engagements Mr. Stearns? There are none on this website under “events”. I would love to hear you speak in Wisconsin some time. It is my heart’s desire to work for World Vision one day. I’ve applied for a few positions, but sadly have not been considered for any of them.
Wow Chandra I can relate. Last year I lost my job at the bank and two weeks later my mom passed away. For me the challenge was not to isolate myself like I always did in the past. It was frightening at first to be vulnerable around other people, but God was faithful to walk me trough it. It was probable the hardest thing I’ve ever done. I am free now after putting my trust in the Lord. I don’t think I ever want to go around that mountain again!
Karrie, since that was 35 years ago, it’s tough to remember the titles of the books I read. But a few definitely stand out, like John Stott’s Basic Christianity. As for books that covered the scientific realm, I don’t recall any titles and I’m not sure that any would be quite as relevant today. However, I know that at the time I was more convinced by philosophical arguments. Really, all of science points to and confirms the handiwork of God.
–Rich Stearns
Rich,
My husband and I have been wondering something for a while now regarding your leap of faith. You had mentioned that you originally had scientific objections and questions regarding Christianity. When you were reading the many books that helped persuade you to accept Christianity, were there any that were especially helpful in the scientific realm?
It use to be for me, as life issues would arise, I would become entangled in its snares. Little by little I have learned that these are opportunities to take a leap of faith and hand the issue over to God. I feel that this is what He wants me to do. I have seen miracles happen when I do this and it has only increased my faith towards a loving Father that I can have a growing faith in, and know that He takes care of my needs.
My husband and I have 4 girls and a (very) modest income. But we have also been careful and have no debt. We have been feeling called to adopt for several years but it was never a possibility for us. One year ago, God began opening doors, and now we are nearing the end of adopting 2 siblings from Uganda. Many told us we couldn’t/shouldn’t/were crazy/biting off more than we could chew…God told us He was strong enough. This adoption has required us (me especially) to let go of so much control and conquer so many fears, but God has shown us again and again that the more we give to Him the more we will receive in return. We are so thankful we have taken this leap of faith and cannot wait to see what else God has planned for our little family.