Stepping Out in Faith

One of my favorite movies as a kid was the movie Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade. It’s an old movie, but if you remember it, it is about his quest is to find the Holy Grail, the original chalice used by Christ at the Last Supper. Along the way, Indy finds himself in these life-threatening challenges that test his humility, his obedience, and his trust. 

In the final challenge, he finds himself dangerously close to the edge of a deep, vast chasm. According to the legend, the way across lies right before him. But he can’t see it. The only way he can get through it is by stepping out in faith. He has to trust what his eyes cannot see. 

There’s this great scene where Indy is right on the precipice – you can see the fear in his eyes. He lifts one leg out over the ledge, eyes closed, and out he steps… For a brief moment, you think he is history. But sure enough, as he steps out, he finds himself standing on a bridge of rock, solid and firm beneath his feet, but invisible to the eye. 

What’s that like? 

If you have ever been worried sick about a job or a loved one – and turned the situation over to God, you have stepped out onto that bridge. If you have ever given beyond your means – you have stepped out onto that bridge. If you have ever been so overcome by grief or sorrow that you didn’t know how you would ever survive but trusted God to carry you, you have stepped out onto that bridge. If you’ve ever dropped to your knees in prayer, asking for mercy, strength, or a way forward, you’ve stepped out on that unseen bridge. 

We know it is there. We’ve been on it. We just can’t see it.

One of the elders at my church Jennifer King, shared that her Great Aunt Rose October used to say, “Trust Him where you cannot trace Him.”  

Let us pray: Gracious God, Help us to believe where we have not yet seen, and to trust when we cannot know. Grant us faith. Grant us hope. Amen.