I had never heard of “Eddie the Eagle”, never knew an Olympian with this nickname existed. But when I saw the poster of the film starring Hugh Jackman — who is an absolute class act — I knew I had to catch it.

The synopsis suggested the movie would be about an underdog’s journey to becoming an Olympian, overcoming difficulties and proving naysayers wrong. Probably an inspirational, feel-good film, best viewed with a few packets of Kleenex handy.

I felt a strange sense of dread as I sat down to watch this film. I did not want my heart to be broken watching the disapproval and prejudice that poor Eddie Edwards faced in pursuit of his lifelong dream. I did not want to sniff and bawl in disappointment when Eddie failed to qualify for the Olympic Games. I certainly did not want to squirm at his injuries sustained from an amateurish 40-meter ski jump.

As the opening credits rolled, I told myself: I wish I was at the ending already. I can’t wait to get past the failures, the tears, the clichés — let’s just go straight to the credit roll, to the part where Eddie lives happily ever after.

After watching the movie (which unfolded as expected) that I realised such thoughts did not just come out of nowhere and were certainly not Eddie-induced. It’s the very same response I have to many other challenges I face in life.

I have accepted that this life will not be smooth sailing. I have conceded that there will be struggles to face, expected or unexpected (John 16:33). I am able to accept these things because I have a God who promised that the trials of many kinds will produce perseverance through the testing of my faith. James 1 goes on to say: “Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.”

The problem lies with the fairy tale ending not coming soon enough. The perseverance does not seem to be finishing its work anytime soon. The strongholds in my life remain standing despite years of prayer, endless sermons, long sleepless nights wrestling with God. The land God promised sometimes seems too far, too distant, too unattainable.

GOING AROUND IN CIRCLES

I wonder if the priests and soldiers of Israel felt the same way as they marched around the walls of Jericho, especially when they didn’t know how long they would be marching for. God clearly told Joshua: March around the city once for six days, on the seventh, march seven times (Joshua 6:3-4). However, in 6:10, Joshua only told the men that the marching would go on “until the day I tell you to shout”.

I know I would be annoyed to receive such an instruction, whatever the task. The people of Israel were basically told to just shut up and march, and not to stop until they were told to. I wonder if their morale fell on some days like mine does, not knowing when this endless marching would end. I wonder if during the six days they went back to camp at the end of the day, far from triumphant. I wonder how they answered when they were asked about their day.

“Well, I marched around the wall once today… that’s pretty much it.”

Perhaps Joshua deliberately gave the people an open-ended timeframe — because that is how God often works in our lives. We may have endless doubts and questions to where God is calling us to, but we submit to His plans in obedience. We do not declare His work done until He says it is done, until He brings things to completion in His perfect timing.

More often than not, we have absolutely no clue about God’s timeframe.

Perhaps the one thing that kept the priests and soldiers going was remembering what God had promised them days ago.

“Prepare your provisions; for in three days you are to cross over the Jordan, to go in to take possession of the land that the Lord your God gives you to possess.” (Joshua 1:11)

The people of Israel may have had no clue when they would finally be told to shout, but they knew that God had already promised them this land. The land was already theirs to own. The act of marching was the way they were told to take possession of it. Every step taken in faith, every planted foot was a declaration of victory; every circuit around the wall weakened their doubts and strengthened their convictions.

Their obedience showed that they meant it in their hearts when they told Joshua: “Whatever you have commanded us we will do.” (Joshua 1:16)

We’re fixated on the destination. God knows the journey is what really matters.

YOUR DAILY WALK AROUND THE WALL

The actual process of marching may seem meaningless and mundane, but it meant everything to God. It was a testament of the absolute, unwavering trust which the people had in Him. Faith in action.

We’re fixated on the destination. God knows the journey is what really matters.

It can be a torture waiting for God to give us that breakthrough that we are desperate for. It can be emotionally draining marching day in and day out, around a stubborn wall that seems to separate us from the promise of God. Taking that daily walk around this wall requires faith and perseverance.

We obey because we trust and know that God is a keeper of His promises – the Covenantal God. We trust that He will not fail us, even if our feet fail to move us along on the bad days.

This faith, however, is not blind. It is not false hope, that one day that wall may come tumbling down, today might be the day. It is not about lofty wishes made in desperation. It is faith that the people of Israel knew had been tested and proven to be true during the life of Moses. The same God – who parted the Red Sea, turned the bitter waters of Marah sweet, rained bread from Heaven over His people – will do as He promised.

As children of God, we know. We know what is on the other side of the wall. We are not fumbling for our way in the dark, without certainty and direction. We don’t need to wait for the wall to come tumbling down, then be surprised by what has been prepared for us. We obey because we trust and know that God is a keeper of His promises – the Covenantal God. We trust that He will not fail us, even if our feet fail to move us along on the bad days.

“See, I have handed Jericho over to you, along with its king and soldiers,” God said in Joshua 6:2. When I read this, I picture God saying this to Joshua in a loving manner, like a father giving his son a playful jab in the ribs, like a good friend telling you gently, “See, I told you so”.

Meanwhile, I will be like that wad of gum on a shoe — holding fast to the unshakable hope found in the certainty of God’s promises, stubborn and immovable.

Eddie the Eagle remains one of my favourite films this year and I am so glad I did not fast forward to the finale. Countless backbreaking attempts, several broken bones and four years later, Eddie became the first person in 59 years to represent Great Britain in the Olympic ski jumping competition.

There, at the summit of the mountain, he faced his greatest rival: Himself.

“You got more dedication, you got more heart and spirit than any of those jumpers out there. Any of them. I spent six months trying to get rid of you. You’re a gum on my shoe, you never gave up. Are you gonna give up now? At the Olympics? This is your moment. You’re Eddie the Eagle, man!” said his coach Bronson Peary.

I look forward to the day when God tells me, “See, I told you so.” Meanwhile, I will be like that wad of gum on a shoe — holding fast to the unshakable hope found in the certainty of God’s promises, stubborn and immovable.