My dad owned a Chevy Impala for years. On the hood, was an emblem of the animal species which bore its name.
Since that time, I have discovered the impala has the amazing ability to jump over ten feet high. It also can leap a distance of thirty feet or more. But here is the weirdest thing about them – they can easily be contained in a zoo by a three foot wall.
While they have the ability to leap and jump over the enclosure, they choose not to do so. They do not even attempt to escape. Want to know why?
The impala will only leap and jump when it is able to see where it will land.
To word it another way, while they have this amazing ability to leap and jump to unbelievable heights, they do not possess the ability to take a “leap of faith”.
And so they remain limited by what their eyes can and cannot see.
I do not want to live like the impala. I want to live by faith. Taking leaps of faith.
“Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen.” (Hebrews 11:1, NASB)
Faith is taking God at His Word. Believing that if He said it, He will be faithful to do it.
In this same chapter of Hebrews, the writer put it this way regarding Sarah, “By faith even Sarah herself received ability to conceive, even beyond the proper time of life, since she considered Him faithful who had promised“ (verse 11). In writing about Moses, he says, “By faith he left Egypt, not fearing the wrath of the king; for he endured, as seeing Him who is unseen“ (verse 27).
They each had to believe that God would be true to His Word. Every one mentioned in the faith chapter of Hebrews 11 was required to take the leap.
The leap of faith.
Much like the impala, God has placed in us the wonderful ability to leap. May we take the leap even if we cannot see where we will land, for we will always land exactly where He intended.
Never be afraid to trust an unknown future to a known God.
(Corrie ten Boom)
Debbie Wilson’s new book, Little Strength Big God, is strengthening my soul. I reviewed the book here, but have returned to read through and study a bit more slowly. Self-control is a fruit of the Spirit, we need a bit more of it. In her post, Mastering Self-Control in a World Out of Control, she writes: “When life spins out of control, it’s easy to trade self-control for self-indulgence.” But self-indulgence weakens us, and self-control strengthens us and honors God. Her post is sure to get you thinking.
Come, sit a spell. Bring your coffee, your posts, and your thoughts. If you link up, kindly visit those who have drawn up a seat around you.
Image by Sasin Tipchai from Pixabay
That’s so interesting. I never knew that about the impala. I tend to want to know how everything is going to work out before “leaping,” but I guess that would be operating by sight rather than faith. I’m thankful God can be trusted with where and how we land.
Beautiful, Joanne, and the world gives us so much that we have to exercise faith for!
Thank you, for this interesting fact about the Impala! I never knew that! And thank you for the sweet object lesson today, I’m afraid I live like the Impala more days than I would like!
Joanne, I never knew that about the impala! You made me think about how I live. Thanks for sharing my blog. A glitch caused my website to crash last week and I lost that blog and the comments posted before the crash. So your choosing to highlight it is a special God wink.
My goodness, Joanne! First of all, I never realized an impala was an animal, and before I Googled it, I thought it would be some kind of large cat. (You learn something new every day, and sometimes many things!) Second, I can definitely relate to not wanting to step out where I can’t see the landing spot. (In my case, it’s more than I hate not being able to see my feet …) I needed this encouragement about taking a leap of faith today. Hugs, friend.
A very encouraging post! Our God lands is exactly where He wants us, so let’s leap in faithfully!
What a wonderful post Joanne, I love the analogy with the Impala.
I’ve found that everyday is taking a leap of faith with the Lord.
Because we never know what that day will bring.
Thank you for the song the words were lovely & most apt.
Blessings sweet friend, Jennifer
So interesting to learn about the Impala, Joanne, and I join you in the desire to be a woman willing to take a leap of faith.
This is really interesting and you are so right Joanne. “May we take the leap even if we cannot see where we will land, for we will always land exactly where He intended.” Indeed. I like this”” a lot. I take him at his word and it feels so freeing.
Joanne, what a wonderful story of how your Father’s Chevy Impala lead you to teach us about taking a leap of faith. Oh I pray that we leap in faith.
When my husband and I were first married, we had an old Chevy Impala… your post at first brought back memories of those days! 💕 I loved the way you wove the info about the impala into your message about taking a leap of faith and landing exactly where God intends us to… every time! What a gift!
One of my favorite Corrie ten Boom quotes, Joanne.
Joanne, I did not know that about impalas. It’s amazing how God weaves His truth into so many of the facts about science and nature. The world around us truly does proclaim the glory of God!
fascinating thoughts about the impala, Joanne … and a needed reminder to continue to live by faith and not by sight. thank you.
Great lesson here Ms. Joanne. Are we ready to take that leap? Amen ma’am.