As someone who has just jumped from the known to the great unknown allow me to tell you: It’s exhilarating. 

Brothers and sisters, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.

Philippians 3:13-14

Here’s how I visualize this passage.

• Yes, it’s scary.
• Yes, I’ve heard rumors of a recession.
• Yes, I know I have a family to support.
• Yes, I know I could get hurt. (The parachute might not deploy)
• Yes, I know you aren’t supposed to jump out of a perfectly safe thing for an unsafe thing.
• Yes, I know all of the “buts” and “whatifs” about jumping.

The flip side? Jumping is way cool. It’s crazy fun. And I’ve learned that the safe way will almost never get you to where you want to go in life.

In my eyes– there are many more dangers in playing it safe than taking a big risk every once in a while.

• Playing it safe is… as good for your heart as eating McDonald’s french fries every day.
• Playing it safe is… like rust on your soul.
• Playing it safe is… so 2000.
• Playing it safe is… a pathway to regret.
• Playing it safe is… cementing a future you might not want.

For discussion: Tell me about a time you jumped. 

photo credit: kait jarbeau via Flickr (Creative Commons)

Photo by Carla MacNeil via Flickr (Creative Commons)

Moses. Abraham. David. Joshua. Daniel. Jonah. Isaiah. Nehemiah. [Insert your Bible heroes name here____.]

There is one important reason that you know their names and not the names of the thousands of people God may have called at the same time. People with higher status in their day. From better families. People who were probably more recognizable as they walked the face of the planet. 

God gave those men an opportunity to do something for Him.

And they jumped. They actually did it.

We don’t know if God had called others who didn’t listen first. But the point is that you know their names because they jumped.

They heard God’s voice in the desert or in a burning bush or through a prophet or in prayer or in the belly of a whale.

And they acted.

They could have heard God’s call and ignored it. And God, in His grace and benevolence, may have allowed them to live a very nice and safe life.

But they didn’t.

They heard God’s voice, turned around, and… jumped.

Here’s the thing that blows me away: That same rare voice heard in the desert or the belly of a whale or in a burning bush… He lives in us as we are indwelled by the Holy Spirit.

The question for us isn’t: “Where will we have to wander to hear the still, calm voice as He lives inside of us.” The question is… “When He calls us to do something, do we jump?”

I don’t know what God has called you to do today. But I have committed my life to the idea that when I hear the still, calm voice– sometimes loud, booming, audacious voice– that I will jump.

Jump first. Let God count the cost.

Let’s face it, success is about being opportunistic.

Here’s my simple outlook on opportunities. I’m thankful that I’ve made more right steps than wrong ones so far. But having the right outlook on the various ideas I’m presented with makes a huge difference.

1. Pause to ask questions, hard ones. If you don’t ask how something will help you no one else will.
2. Think about how you want to tie it in. You know what they say… if you don’t have a defined target you’ll miss it every time.
3. Be audaciously bold. Wimps need not be opportunist. Go after things, with gusto!
4. Go. Sitting on the sidelines will never get you anywhere. Nor will being shy or nervous about failure. Jump first, ask for forgiveness later.

My favorite part of this video is the very faint “don’t do it” at the very beginning!

The voice of reason is always present and ignored when pulling off something impossibly cool.