Forward in Faith

I'm sure that by now most of you have seen the most recent Batman movie, The Dark Knight Rises. In case any of you haven't: *Spoiler Alert*. Far into the film, Bruce Wayne (Batman) gets the living tar beaten out of him by Bane (the film's villain) and loses consciousness. Once his consciousness is regained, Bruce finds himself trapped in a prison that Bane himself once resided in called the Pit. Its called this because its located at the bottom of a well-type hole that allows the inmates to see the sun and even believe that they can escape, but despite numerous attempts only one person has ever escaped this terrible pit of despair.
Eventually, Bruce desperately tries to climb up and escape this prison, but he is unable to do so.  Despite training everyday and several valiant attempts, he is unable to get away from the hell of the Pit until he gives himself completely to the task and takes away the safety rope. Its when Bruce truly steps out on faith that he is able to accomplish the impossible and escape.
I believe that this is a great representation of the Christian life, except, of course, our faith is in God not ourselves. So often, like Bruce Wayne, we dedicate our lives to something, yet we still keep a safety net (or rope) to catch us just in case we happen to fall or fail. However, safety nets show a lack of faith in God. A number of us are setting up exit strategies and fall back plans just in case God doesn't show up.
I believe that so often we wait for the Lord to give us all the resources so that we can step out on faith, while in fact, God is actually waiting for us to step out on faith, so He can open the flood gates on us.
Faith is not setting up back up plans in case it will fail. Faith is not having all the resources in hand before you start. Faith is not waiting to see if it works before you invest completely in it. Anybody can step out on faith when there is absolutely no chance they will lose anything.
Faith is trusting that God will provide what He promised to provide. Faith is committing our lives, our efforts and our energy to whatever we have discerned God has called us to undertake. Faith is stepping out without a safety net trusting that God will not let us fall, but even if we do, He will be the one that catches us and stands us back on our feet. Faith is starting the task when we only have enough resources to get going, trusting God will give the rest “in due season.”  Faith is committing our lives to something that without God would be impossible.
So from what I noticed in the movie, Bruce Wayne doesn't give himself completely to escaping until he removes the safety rope and goes by faith. I believe the same applies to us who are in the faith. We can't fully give ourselves to the tasks God is calling us to and we can't truly live by faith in Him until we remove any safety nets and truly trust that God will come through for us. Without a safety net, you have no choice but to trust Him and move forward no matter what the “jump” may look like.
Also, think about it this way. Faith is how we applaud God. Hebrews 11:6 tells us that "without faith it is impossible to please God." Let's look at Jesus. He believed in His father. Even in the midst of the torture of the crucifixion he trusted in Him every step of the way. It was his faith in God that carried him through the strain and the pain. With each lash from Roman whips and mock from Jewish lips, Jesus absorbed the horrific pain because, in the words of Peter "he entrusted himself to him who judges justly", his heavenly Father. No wonder the Father would show up on the scene throughout the ministry of Jesus just to say something like, "This is my Son in whom I am well pleased." There was a love/trust relationship of unparalleled proportions that you and I can never fully understand. But we can partake in it. No matter what trial you are going through in your life, entrust yourself to Him. He will carry you through it. He will walk by your side through the valley of the shadow of death.
Whatever trial you are going through, try trusting instead of worrying. When you do, you are applauding the heavenly Father. You are jumping into the arms of God "entrusting yourself" to Him. You are squeezing His hand, looking in His eyes and saying, "Daddy I believe in you."
Whatever your trial, problem, hurt or challenge, start clapping through faith and wait for Him to come through once again.

He will.