Take the leap – Trust That You’re in God’s Good Hands

By Jenna Dexter

As the plane ascended over the coast of San Diego, my best friend straddled the bench to my left, both of us synched up uncomfortably tight to our tandem skydiving instructors, strangers we had entrusted our lives to.

“Do you know how to swim?” Dawn’s instructor bellowed over the roar of the engine.

Puzzled, she replied. “Ummm, yes?”

“Good.” A brief pause. “Do you know how to fight a shark?”

“No!”

“Never mind. Don’t worry about it,” he smirked.

Dawn laughed as we both rolled with the banter our comedic instructors dished out on that epic flight.

“We’re gonna have some fun with these ladies,” my instructor had prepped his buddy earlier after my friend and I had amused him with our giddy, excited, bewildered, fun, and nervous energy.

Leading up to that day, I could not believe I had agreed to, scheduled, and paid money to jump out of an airplane. I’d always been fascinated with the idea of flying and whenever I saw skydiving in a movie, I’d try to envision myself doing it someday.

But the reality was always a resounding no. I could never “actually” jump out of a plane. That’s just crazy!

Until 2017 when I was about to embark on solo-travel through Australia and New Zealand and was in a new mindset of being brave and doing things outside my comfort zone. I was also in a season of drastic change with no clear view of my future.

And as my skydiving experience drew closer, I kept sensing a spiritual element.

This wasn’t just about me doing a crazy, scary, and adventurous thing with my best friend. This was about me doing a crazy, scary, and adventurous thing with Jesus.

It’s as if my bold jump was a metaphor for my future.

“Take a leap of faith, Jenna, and trust that I’ve got you,” God whispered. “I’ll be calling you to take a lot of leaps of faith in coming seasons. Be bold. Take risks. Take the scary leap and trust that I’ve got you.”

Tandem skydiving is an act of faith in your instructor. You have no choice but to trust in their knowledge, skill, and experience to keep you safe. Just as you have to trust God when you take a faith leap.

The closer my jump came, the more I consciously chose to tune out fear, embrace the thrill, and mentally be “all in.” I decided I would enjoy every moment and would not hesitate when the time came to jump.

With the plane in position, the door flung open and things happened quickly. A skydiving team in matching gear jumped first and next up was Dawn and her instructor. My heart beat ferociously as I watched my best friend tumble forward into the open sky. And I was next.

During all this, my instructor and I had been shuffling toward the gaping doorway. He had propelled my willing body forward with reassuring strength, calling out instructions as we maneuvered into position.

“Put your thumbs around your straps and keep your chin up,” he called as we literally sat on the edge of the aircraft, my red Vans dangling. Gaping at the vast blue sky, the earth and ocean 8,000 feet beneath, suddenly we were plunging forward into the air.

After an exhilarating free-fall the parachute opened and jolted our bodies into a slow glide. We soared through the air, relished the spectacular ocean views, and landed safely.

No swimming. No sharks.

WHAT LEAP IS GOD ASKING YOU TO MAKE?

Do you feel a stirring toward something that requires a scary, risky leap of faith?

Perhaps you’ve thought of taking a meal to your shut-in neighbor. But keep brushing it off.

Your church needs someone to lead Bible study and deep down you sense God is nudging you. But you don’t feel qualified.

Perhaps you feel a stirring toward foster care or adoption. But you hesitate.

Maybe you feel called to start a ministry or business, but it seems too big, too out of reach, and you can already hear the criticism at the thought of attempting such a feat.

WHAT IF YOU’RE WRONG ABOUT THE LEAP?

He’s called you to something. Never doubt that.

For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do (Ephesians 2:10).

God has given you spiritual gifts, talent, skills, knowledge, and experience that make you uniquely qualified to fulfill your purposes.

He has put dreams and desires in your heart for you to pursue. He’s given you a vision and passion for a certain type of ministry, business, and/or people group, and an ability to impact the world as only you can.

It’s rare to have 100% certainty that we are hearing God right. That’s part of the leap of faith. But it’s hard to get it wrong when you’re actively pursuing the Biblical commission to go into all the world and make disciples. It’s hard to get it wrong when you’re doing for the least of these what the Bible commands – feed the poor, preach the gospel, heal the sick, visit those in prison.

If you start to make the wrong leap, trust that God will redirect you as He did for the apostle Paul when he prayed, listened, and took action to fulfill his commission to preach the gospel in the way that seemed right. In Acts 16 he tried to go to Asia and then to Bithynia, but God stopped him both times, ultimately directing him to Macedonia.

Even though the specifics weren’t quite clear, Paul started with the calling he knew he had, took the leap and God redirected.

So don’t let fear of not doing the exact right thing keep you from doing anything at all. Trust that God will redirect you.

“The harvest is huge. But there are not enough harvesters. … Now, off you go! I am sending you out even though you feel as vulnerable as lambs going into a pack of wolves. You won’t need to take anything with you – trust in God alone. And don’t get distracted from my purpose” (Luke 10:2-4a TPT).

TAKE THE LEAP

Since my epic skydive I took a brave leap to start a Kingdom business, which has included many brave leaps into coaching, writing, podcasting, and speaking. I took a brave leap into learning and adding keyboard to my worship leading. I’ve taken many leaps, all of them hard. But God always had me as I kept myself cinched up tightly with Him.

NOW OFF YOU GO!

Take the leap, and trust that God has got you.

 

Jenna Dexter is a speaker and Christian Life Coach for Women. Through 1:1 Coaching, she helps women find clarity, shine in calling, overcome mental hang-ups, unleash confidence, and believe in possibility. Her membership community, Total Thrive Women, empowers Christian women to achieve Personal, Spiritual & Professional results through Group Coaching, Community Forum, and Personal Development Trainings. Learn more at TotalThrive.com and find links to her Podcast & YouTube channel.