Out of the blue, one of my mentors called me a few days ago. I don’t speak with him very often, but when I do, it is always encouraging as he lifts my spirits and inspires me to keep striving toward the vision I have for my life as a leader of my family and ministry. Often, the very thing for which I am struggling is exactly what he brings up. This call was no exception as I am at a point where I must make some complex decisions as to my next steps.
He didn’t really have a reason for calling, except that I came to mind and he wanted to check up on my progress. We chatted and I updated him on the details, then, he made a statement which I’ve heard him say a hundred times, but this day, it really resonated with me. He said, “Jump. The net will appear.” I’ve always known this to be his way of encouraging me and others to take a step of faith once all the analysis and preparation is done when moving toward a new vision, because it’s easy to become a victim of “paralysis of analysis” when considering making bold changes to one’s life and remain stuck in whatever circumstance we are in. The bottom line is that at some point, we must take action.
My mentor is not one to take unreasonable risks – at least not unreasonable when you are trusting God to provide the net, once we jump in faith. We all know people who have failed because they took risks without thinking the process through, but we also know people who have remained stuck in a personal or professional situation that daily drained the life out of them, because they were unable to take the risk and jump.
Think through what you have been wanting to do differently. What would you change if you knew you had a reasonable chance of succeeding? From what edge would you jump if you knew that the net would appear?
Leaders practice due diligence, but then they jump, trusting that the net will appear.
Lead well.