Be Bold, Be Prepared to Leap to Your Success

Jesus said, “Only in his hometown and in his own house is a prophet without honor” –Matthew 13:57 (NIV). And it’s something that holds true. Humans--friends, neighbours, relatives--love to hold each other back. This is not just a ‘Jesus truth.’

It’s a simple fact that we face much opposition at home. It doesn’t make sense in some respects, but where there is most resistance to us growing successful in life, it’s at home--not simply the ‘family home’ but around the people we know.

There are, of course, exceptions, but our contemporaries are least likely to support us toward an out-of-this-world end. Perhaps they know us all too well and underestimate our potential. They will almost always doubt us where we might have more self-belief.

The theological story of Abraham is poignant:

The LORD had said to Abram, “Leave your country, your people and your father’s household and go to the land I will show you.

“I will make you into a great nation

and I will bless you;

I will make your name great,

and you will be a blessing.

“I will bless those who bless you,

and whoever curses you I will curse;

and all peoples on earth

will be blessed through you” –Genesis 12:1-3 (NIV).

Abraham (as he was re-named) had to completely leap out of his present context to re-invent himself based on his vision of God’s call for him. The father of all nations would have been called a fool otherwise; Noah was in the same boat (pardon the pun).

There are countless examples of people in all walks of life who’ve made incredibly risky leaps because they were called to greater things. Not always do the leaps come off, but they also say, ‘You have to be in it to win it.’

Self-belief aligned with the unmistakable call of God are the only ingredients required in making the ‘leap cake.’ Sprinkle a little wisdom over the cake in the planning and the recipe could be a great success.

Copyright © 2009, S. J. Wickham. All Rights Reserved.