"Only in the leap from the lion's head will he prove his worth."

Let's say I have a problem. No, a problem suggests something like a question on the SAT or dead car battery; while inconvient, they're easily understood, solved, and dismissed. Perhaps, I would say that I have more of a conundrum. A sort of complex situation of a delicate nature, requiring careful handling and whose result is of a highly valued nature. That's more of a definition of my conundrum, because really a conundrum is just an intricate and difficult problem. You know what, let's just call it a problem, that's easier.

Ok, so I have this problem. I don't want this to sound over dramatized because it really isn't that dramatic. However, whenever someone takes the time to elaborate on one particular event or aspect in their life for more than a 4 minute 37 second interval, their tale somehow becomes convoluted into a rehash of the plot line to a day-time soap opera on CBS. So, I'll keep it under 3 minutes, maybe even one. Mindy and I have been hanging out a lot. Mindy is gettin ready to go on a mission for the LDS church. I like Mindy. Mindy likes me (half of the time). Mindy is reserved because she doesn't want leaving on a mission to be complicated. I am confused. (sigh) Ok, that didn't take too long. So the question (not problem) arises; do I continue to persue her or do I "eject" right out of this Dog Fight?

Here's the problem: I know I should persue things. How do I know this? Well, its quite simple and yet, complicated. Its actually something that I find religious people readily understand and atheistical people readily question: The Spirit (of God). Trying to explain to someone what the Spirit is like is like trying to explain what salt tastes like. I can't. I know what it tastes like, I can readily identify it, but I find I lack the adequate lexicon or perhaps even the precise understanding that is required to describe what salt tastes like. Does that mean that salt isn't real? Because someone else hasn't tasted it does that mean that I have never tasted it, or that what I tasted really wasn't salt? (it was probably just sugar) No, I know what I have tasted and I know that it's real.

In all actuality this concept of the influence of a greater power is not exclusive to Christianity. The Chinese believe its their ancestors, spirtualists refer to it as the influence of "the Universe" or "Nature", die-hard Star Wars fans call it "The Force" and some just call it "their gut" or "instincts." Regardless, I think everyone has experience some sort of direction or guidance, as well as the warmth of a true proverb, or the peace and joy from helping another. The Spirit guides, confirms truth, and affrims us.

At any rate...my problem. I guess its not so much a problem or a dilema as it is just an excercise in faith. When you know what you're suppose to do, and you've made up your mind to do it, the follow-through should be easy, right...Right? But when logic, reason, and just plain common-sense suggest otherwise, the conflict begins.

Perhaps this is best illustrated from the classic film Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade. Indy, standing at the 100 foot chasm below the Lion's head, is faced with the last trial before the grail. By every conceivable sense, he knows that another step and he'll fall to his death. "Impossible. Nobody can jump this!" But knowing that not only that he must get to the grail but also that he CAN get to the grail, he takes a "leap of faith", step out and reveals a stunning bit of camoflage hiding a narrow stone path across the gaping abyss. He crosses and obtains the Holy Grail. Yeah, so leaping crevasses I could handle. Well, maybe. Actually I guess I can handle this too. There's not going to be any broken bloodied bodies on the rocks below.

...Dang, I think I am well over 4 minutes 37 seconds now.

"You must believe, boy. You must...believe."