When Taking a Leap of Faith Means Standing Still

When Taking a Leap of Faith Means Standing Still

“I want you to quit your job.”

“Wait, what? Quit my what? Why?”

“I want you to quit your job. You’ll understand later.”

“Quit my job? But I make six figures! I have a mortgage, a car note, and a family to think about! I can’t quit my job!”

This is often how we imagine this conversation going. Most people would be reluctant to quit their job for an unknown. And everyone else would think them stupid for quitting their job for an unknown. But I dare say, if Jesus asked me to quit my job, I think the conversation would go a bit more like this:

“I want you to quit -”

“I VOLUNTEER!”

“Cussing. Quit cussing, Tyffani.”

I joke. But truly, if the Lord asked me to quit my job it wouldn’t be much of a sacrifice. At least, not mentally or emotionally. Until my savings dried up.

We often think of taking a leap of faith as jumping off a cliff into the great wide-open sky with hopes that we will be caught at the bottom by something soft and gentle. But what do we do when taking a leap of faith means standing still? And what fears do we face when we are ready for change, but it’s not time?

Fear of Missing Out/Being Too Late/ Missing My Chance

It can seem like everyone is moving ahead without you. When it’s not your time to jump yet, it can feel like you’re missing out on what everyone else is doing. It can feel like maybe you missed the call. Someone forgot to let you know that it’s time to move. But if we move before we’re supposed to it can make things worse for us in the end. What might have been a blessing becomes a nightmare. We have to be careful not to move too fast and make sure everything happens in the right timing.

Fear of Being Stuck

The fear of being stuck in an undesirable situation (and I’m not talking about a dangerous situation, just an uncomfortable one) is a weighty fear. It can feel like you’ll never leave. “I’m going to die here.” But there are lessons we can learn in every season and situation we are in. The truth is, you’re not stuck. You’re just uncomfortable, and discomfort is a good sign that you’re growing and will soon be moving forward.

Fear of Unfulfilled Dreams

I know you have dreams that feel unattainable. You see bigger things for your life and those around you. I know that you want to help others with the dreams you have on your heart. You will see your dreams come true. You will also see the dreams that no longer serve you end. And that’s okay. Again, you’re growing and you’re moving into something far greater and more fulfilling.

Fear of Making the Wrong Choice

What if staying still is the wrong choice? What if moving is the wrong choice? Fear of making the wrong choice can be immobilizing. It can keep us from acting when we’re supposed to. Likewise, it can make us move before we’re ready. But how can we know we’re ready? The Lord will move us when He says we’re ready. “But I’m not a believer.” That’s okay. The Lord still has a way of putting people where they’re meant to be for the good of those who do serve Him.

So, what do we do when we’re in this place of waiting, of being still, of insecurity? What do we do when taking a leap of faith means standing still? How do we pass the time while we’re waiting to leap?

Pray

If you are a believer, then this should be your first move always. Ask the Lord what you’re supposed to be doing. For a long time, my prayer was “What now? What do I do now? What is my next move?” The answer didn’t come right away, because He had to get me to a place of acceptance. He had to clear out all the old dreams that no longer served me to be able to create new dreams in my soul. Once I was where I needed to be, not only were there new dreams, but the old dreams started to make sense. So be sure to ask the Lord where He wants you and what He wants you to learn where you are right now, so he can put you where you belong.

Listen

Just listen. We are told to be still and know because we have a tendency not to listen when we’re being told what to do. We hear what we want to. Or in some cases, we hear what we don’t want to hear when if we had just listened, we might have been given the answer we were waiting for.

Create

This is what you were made to do. And just because you’re being told to wait doesn’t mean you should stop creating. Keep creating the things that bring you and others so much joy. Don’t quit or give up. Don’t be in a hurry because that’s when we make mistakes. Keep creating and keep getting better.

Stay Busy

Get out and go somewhere. Go hiking or shopping. Find a new restaurant or café or bookstore. Meet new people. Meet singles if you’re single, couples if you’re looking for other couples to hang out with. Make new friends. Discover something new or rediscover something you forgot you loved. Keep busy, but don’t forget to rest. Your mind doesn’t need to be busy all the time.

Grow

Keep growing. Keep improving. Not just your art and talents, but you as well. Make time for the things that bring you joy, whether that’s going to the gym or going to wine tastings or collecting leaves. Keep learning so that you are always becoming a better version of yourself.

Standing still isn’t a bad thing or a punishment. It is a time of growth and self-reflection. It is a time to become the person you were always meant to be, so when it is time to move, you’re ready.