As the age of 19, I left America with my family to relocate back to Melbourne, Australia where I was born. I had been living in the USA for 10 years. I had friends, memories, and great opportunities for the future there. But my family was coming home and so I agreed to come with them for one year and give it a try. I had prayed bold prayers of surrendering everything to God. Now was the time to put those words into action. I was leaving everything, letting it all go, with no promise or guarantee of what was ahead. I had many more questions than answers: "Could I trust God? Would it work out? Would I regret leaving?" The great unknown.
Time to jump.
Scary, yet exhilarating.
As a 54 year old, I now re-visit this same space … but in new ways. We have begun succession planning talks at CityLife where I have been the Senior Minister for the last 21 years and part of the staff team for 31 years. Once a successor has been chosen and is in place, I will take 6 months off then see what is next. I am letting it all go – a ministry role I have enjoyed for many years, a position of respect, a platform of influence, financial security, comfort, and a life of predictability … with no promise or guarantee of what is ahead. Once again, I have far more questions than answers: "Can I still trust God? What will people think? Am I too young for this big of a change? Will it work out? What will I do next? Will I regret leaving?" The great unknown.
Time to jump.
Scary, yet exhilarating.
Is it time for you to jump?
Maybe not.
The grass is not always greener on the other side of the fence (it's usually greener where we water it!). Sometimes we need to stay put, to let our roots go down deep, to be faithful in season and out of season, and to stay the course even in the midst of a scary storm.
Is it time for you to jump?
Maybe so.
What would you love to be or do … but are afraid to? We love to talk about adventure, faith and risk … but there comes a time when we must choose to live it. Like Abraham, sometimes God calls us to leave our place of comfort and familiarity … and go to a new place.
Have you silently been whispering to yourself, “I’ve always wanted to …”
If so, you are not alone.
Take a moment to read Mike Lewis’ story, then check out his new web site www.whentojump.com and follow the stories. You'll be inspired … and maybe you too will decide it's time to jump.
Mike talks about a “jump curve”. This is not a strict blueprint but there are some common points that most people experience:
1. First, listen closely to the little voice in your head that won’t go away.
2. Second, make a plan. In reality, for the vast majority of people, their jump is a lot of little steps.
3. Then jump. You can only plan, analyse and hypothesise so far. You will only get certainty to some degree. Just do it. The unknown delivers the best experience. Set the pieces right as best you can, then jump.
4. Once you jump, don’t look back! Will it work? What does ‘work’ mean? Work just means you did it. That was the success. Trust God and his providence to carry you forward into the next season and chapter of your life.
Quotes
"You can't always wait for the perfect time, sometimes you have to dare to jump". [Unknown]
"Face It: Career Jumps Are the Future of Work." [Forbes. February 26, 2016]
"Twenty years from now you will be more disappointed by the things that you didn’t do than by the ones you did do. So throw off the bowlines. Sail away from the safe harbour. Catch the trade winds in your sails. Explore. Dream. Discover." [Mark Twain]
"A ship is safe in harbour, but that's not what ships are for." [William Shedd]
"Life is either a daring adventure or nothing at all.” [Helen Keller]
"The most dangerous risk of all – the risk of spending your life not doing what you want on the bet you can buy yourself the freedom to do it later." [Randy Kombar]
"I am looking for someone to share in an adventure that I am arranging, and it's very difficult to find anyone … I should think so — in these parts! We are plain quiet folk and have no use for adventures. Nasty disturbing uncomfortable things! Make you late for dinner!" [J.R.R. Tolkein in The Hobbit]
See also: