Over The Cliff

Over the Cliff

If only I had a nickel for every time I heard the phrase going over the fiscal cliff during the 2012 budget crisis. Would we? Wouldn’t we? And whose fault would it be if we did? Once an anemic deal was struck, I thought, Finally! I’m done with this cliff business! But I’m not. Not by a long shot. Every test of faith is a cliff: illness, loss of a loved one, financial stress, job uncertainty. The churning waters below these all-too-common cliffs are threatening, indeed. Even the strongest swimmers could go under for good. Many do.

But I am slowly learning this secret: you can’t be afraid to fall. Even if you know the landing will be hard. Even if you’re terrified the instant your feet leave firm ground. The building of faith is a hundred little cliff dives, one right after another. And then a hundred more. The question is not if but when. And how.

This is how: with Jesus. Ask yourself, Am I loved? Then look to Calvary for your answer. God went over the cliff for you and me and never looked back. He took the fall for you. Take the leap with him.

Every time I hear the story of Abraham and Isaac, I ponder how old Abe did it. How did he obey the awful command to take the son he loved and lay him on the altar? How did he raise his arm and grip the knife and prepare to slaughter his God-promised future? How did he lean over that cliff and take the free fall of faith?

One painful step at a time. Moment after moment of assured love and then a cliff-diving leap of faith. Impossible love. Impossible faith. Over the cliff and into his arms again, trusting nothing but the Father’s good intent.

Dicker all you want. Deal. Try to strike a bargain. Back away from the edge then approach it again. Cry. Swear. Sweat. Or let go and lean into God himself. There is nothing more glorious than a cliff of his design. But you’ll never know until you fall.

Abraham took the wood of the burnt offering and laid it on Isaac his son. And he took in his hand the fire and the knife. So they went both of them together.

Genesis 22:6, ESV