By Lynn Mosher –
“When you go, your way shall be opened
up before you step by step.”
(Prov. 4:12 free translation)
Henry Clay Trumbull once said, “The Lord never builds a bridge of faith except under the feet of the faith-filled traveler. If He builds the bridge a rod ahead, it would not be a bridge of faith. That which is of sight is not of faith.” Taking a step or leap of faith is often what God calls us to do.
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I seem to be reminded of movies lately. The above scripture and statement remind me of the end of Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade, as Indy (Harrison Ford) or Junior, as his father calls him, and his father (Sean Connery) are on a quest for the Holy Grail, the chalice of Christ, believed to contain healing power and everlasting life.
In Professor Henry Jones, Sr.’s journal, the notes to locate the chalice contain coded instructions and three challenges…
*Challenge one: the Breath of God: Only the penitent man will pass.
*Challenge two: the Word of God: Only in the footsteps of God will he proceed.
*Challenge three: the Path of God: Only in the leap from the lion’s head will he prove his worth.
In his quest, Junior makes it through challenges one and two and comes to challenge three. He stands on a ledge in a small opening in the rock, just big enough to squeeze through. Beyond that is a great abyss, a 100 foot drop to the rocks below and 100 feet across to the other side, a rough, stony cliff wall. He can see nowhere to cross.
Indy looks down into the grail diary and agonizes over what it is asking him to do. Standing on the ledge, he ponders how to span the great chasm, repeating the instructions, “Only in the leap from the lion’s head will he prove his worth.” Looking around, he notices inscribed into the rock above his head is the head of a lion.
Flashing back to Indy’s father, Henry, as he lay dying, calls out to his son, “You must believe, boy. You must…believe.”
Indy realizes, “It’s… a leap of faith. Oh, God.”
Even though he is petrified he will fall to his death, he slowly raises one foot and cautiously steps out into thin air…only to be surprised that a bridge is under his foot. Totally relieved, he safely passes to the other side.
I’ve always loved that part of the movie. It so reminds me that only when we step out in faith into the unknown, to cross some great abyss, does God place that solid Rock-bridge beneath our feet.
As we go on our quest through the New Year, we will…
*pass on when we are penitent to the breath of God
*proceed in the footsteps of God when we follow the Word of God
*prove our worth when we leap away from the lion’s head and continue on the path of God in faith.
Think about that…No, it isn’t always easy. We will all encounter frightening Indy-circumstances at one time or another during the year. Each situation we face will be bridged, for the ordained way has already been given to us. Christ is our bridge. Always.
How much faith will you have to step out onto the Bridge in the New Year? Stretch out that foot and put one in front of the other. Walk with faith on your quest through the year.
Just as Indy, we step out in faith for each day’s quest. As Paul said, “Our life is lived by faith. We do not live by what we see in front of us.” (2 Cor. 5:7 NLV) Therefore, as Jesus said, “According to your faith let it be to you.” (Matt. 9:29 NKJV)
May the Lord bless your New Year with faith, hope, joy, peace, and all that you need!
1 thought on “A Leap of Faith from the Lion’s Head”
This line in particular jumped out at me Lynn:
pass on when we are penitent to the breath of God
yes, indeed !
May we be always penitent to the breath of God…Help me in this Lord.