Tips for triumphant living -- Take a flying leap of faith.

Jump and build your wings on the way down is one of my favorite quotes. I don't know who penned it, but it paints a picture of the way I'd like to live my life . . . taking flying leaps of faith.

Perhaps the reason it speaks to me is because I’m not very adventurous. I tend to step out cautiously. In that way I'm very different from my husband. He loves adventure and consequently he has more fun than I do.

There's an Indiana Jones movie, The Temple of Doom (I think that's the title), where Mr. Jones must cross a deep chasm. The secret of crossing the bottomless ravine is that he must step out onto an invisible bridge, believing it's there. Only after taking this step of faith will it appear. If he's to move forward in his journey he's required to make what appears to be a suicidal plunge into the abyss. Any other choice means failure.

We each have moments like that (perhaps not quite so dramatic), when we need to believe and step out in faith without assurance of success or reward. I must confess I often approach these opportunities with trepidation, but some of the results have been remarkable.

One incident comes swiftly to mind. It happened about a year after my accident. I was still in terrible physical shape when I was offered a scholarship to the Oregon Christian Writers Summer Conference. It made no sense for me to attend, considering my circumstances, but I was certain God had provided this opportunity. I decided to trust and to believe He would take good care of me. That doesn't mean I wasn’t scared; I was.

After four days of soaking in writing expertise offered by teachers and mentors I returned home inspired and ready to write. The Lord had a plan.

The 1992 conference launched my writing career. When I showed up that first day of the conference I didn't know where the experience would take me, but I stepped onto my own invisible bridge. The Lord has blessed my small leap of faith. I've written and published fifteen novels and I'm in the midst of a new series.

It's healthy to move out of our comfort zones and take risks. Do we? If not what might we be missing?

Do you have a story of a time when you or someone you know leapt and built wings on the way down? I'd love to hear it, and I know others who read these posts would be inspired. After all, it's not easy to live triumphantly.

Grace and peace to you from God.

Bonnie