Feb. 29 a day for a leap of faith

  • Published
  • By Lt. Col. Michael Gilbert
  • 71st Flying Training Wing Chaplain
VANCE AIR FORCE BASE, Okla. --  I am looking forward to the next sequel of Indian Jones! I have followed that series of movies most of my adult life. The scene that comes to mind for me as I write is when Indiana must cross a chasm in order to reach the Holy Grail in the hope of saving his father. There is a catch: there is no visible way across and he realizes he must make a leap of faith. Beyond hope he steps out and feels something solid under his feet and walks across. Only after he reaches the other side can he look back and see what he had walked on. That is faith.

I am amazed at the pilot's life of faith as they circle overhead. They take a leap of faith as they rely on air they cannot see. Here at Vance, we can often feel the air as it blows but it is still invisible. They take a leap of faith as they climb into an airplane trusting in their unseen maintainers, trusting in work that lies unseen, beneath sheet metal skins. They fly with faith in the competence of their instructors and air controllers. Only after their flight can they look back and know with confidence that the invisible was indeed present.

The spiritual life is a leap of faith -- trusting in things that are beyond touch and sight. There are times we are so certain and at other times we just take that next step. Looking behind us we can see the touch of the hands of providence.

This year is a leap year and the chapel would like to provide everyone an opportunity to take a leap of faith, by hosting a celebration of prayer and spirituality 7:30-11:30 a.m., Feb. 29 in the Chapel Community Activity Center.

Come and go as you please. Vance personnel and the Vance community are invited to come pray and explore their faith. The chapel will also provide breakfast burritos, coffee, juice and pastries for all at 7:30 a.m.

Leap year comes every four years, handing out one extra day. Why not set aside some extra time to explore our spirituality?

As Helen Keller stated, "The best and most beautiful things in life, cannot be seen, nor touched, but are felt in the heart."