So, today is leap day! Yep, it’s February 29th. I found out some news yesterday that has me leaping for joy this morning (more to come later)! And, on the radio on my way into the office this morning, the local radio station hosts were talking about the various types of leaps that people make in their lives! Things like - a leap into a new relationship, or the unknown, or a leap in dealing with our faith, or a leap into a new class at school that you don’t feel equipped for, or a leap into a new family situation, or a leap in dealing with some sort of peer pressure.
All of this talk of leaping (and the fact that we have just entered the season of Lent), got me thinking about Jesus’ temptations in the wilderness where He was encouraged to leap! In Matthew 4, we read that just after Jesus' baptism, He was driven out into the wilderness. We read about the temptation of Jesus and the 40 days he spent out in that desert. I absolutely LOVE this video account of what Jesus’ time in the wilderness could have been like …
I’ve seen (and used in youth ministry) this video hundreds of times. Every time I watch it, something new stands out to me. Today as I watched, I was particularly drawn to the joy on Jesus’ face as he chased the chickens and peered over the cliff at the baby foxes. And then the pure struggle on his face as he got stuck in the briars or was weak and crawling on the ground. It is a good reminder that Jesus gets us; that Jesus felt exactly what we feel in our best and worst moments. That helps me in my relationship with Jesus … to know that our amazing Savior struggled through rough times/feelings and also experienced pure joy during His time on this earth. He so gets me!
But, on this leap day, I am particularly drawn to the scenes from Matthew 4 where Satan tempts Jesus with a leap. Never mind the challenge to take a leap and turn the stones into bread, I think Satan tempts Jesus with a literal leap, not once but twice. First, Jesus is taken to the top of the temple and told to literally leap off and He will surely be saved by angels. Second, Jesus goes to the top of a mountain and sees the beauty of the kingdoms. All of this can be His, He is told, if he will just take a leap of faith and bow down to worship Satan.
We can identify with Jesus’ time in the wilderness and the temptations He experienced to leap! Let’s face it, there are many “leaps” we take in life. Some good, some not so good. But, what I can tell from this piece of Scripture is that knowing when TO take a leap of faith and when NOT to take a leap of faith is tremendously important in our lives.
So how do we know the difference in taking a leap or not? I’m glad you asked …. Here’s a couple of suggestions:
1.It depends on the situation! So, know your situation. Think through it and MOST importantly pray through it. Try to look at it from the outside in instead of inside out. Push yourself to think of possible outcomes if you do take this leap and possible outcomes if you don’t.
2.Uncomfortable is good! So, step out of your comfort zone and into the wilderness. Remember, the easy way isn’t always the best. Remember, the wilderness (unknown) can be a lonely, frightful, tempting place. But, it can also be a place of joy and growth.
3.Use experience! So, whose experience? Think about your own past leaps! Read about the leaps of the characters in Scripture (i.e. Peter getting out of the boat)! Ask others around you! Go through the pros and cons of a leap with your friends, a trusted adult mentor, or a parent. Sometimes those who are willing to help you in your leap, literally, become the push you need! Sometimes those persons end up leaping with you! But beware, sometimes those same folks can hold you back from taking the leap. Weigh and consider it all very carefully!
4.If you’ve taken a leap and discover it’s not the right one for you … go back and repeat steps one through three to determine your next move!
Honestly, leaping is scary. And, our tendency is to stay where it’s safe. But I encourage you, leap away, if it is the right time! After all, would Peter have walked on water if he hadn’t of leapt out of the boat? Would persons with disabilities have had a better, more world changing advocate if Helen Keller hadn’t of leapt to meet the challenge of graduating college despite her blindness and deafness? Would Eric Clapton have written such a beautiful song (“Tears in Heaven”) if he hadn’t have leapt through the pain of his son’s death? Would the legacies of Matthew Wright, Jo Brock, or Charlie Butterworth live on in rich and powerful ways if their families and those of missing them didn’t leap to mourn, remember, and honor them?
I hope you take this extra day in our leap year to take a leap of faith and accomplish the extraordinary. I’m leaping right beside you!
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