January 3, 2014

Step Out In Faith

 

By faith Abraham, when called to go to a place he would later receive as his inheritance, obeyed and went, even though he did not know where he was going. -- Hebrews 11:8

I don't like surprises. I don't. Sure, gifts can be wonderful but beyond that I've had maybe three nice surprises my entire life. Most of the surprises in my life have not been good.

I like a plan. I like to know not only where I'm going, but how I'm going to get there. Step by step. But that's not how God works. He's more like: I know the way, just follow close and I'll make sure you don't take a wrong step. I'm the one following behind, whining "But where are we going? I'd just like to know how it's all going to end up."

But that's not faith. Not really. It's not the walk on water kind of faith God wants from me. It's not the just take one step forward and then I'll show you the next step kind of faith. It's not trusting God to handle the details. It's not giving Him complete control over my life.

What?! Yeah. That's the point. Because when I'm determined to know the plan ahead of time, it probably means I'd like the opportunity to just say no. I want to follow God but I want to be in control. But that's not God's plan. God doesn't just want me to follow Him where I want to go. He wants me to follow Him even if it's somewhere I'd rather not go. Maybe especially if it's somewhere scary. Somewhere uncomfortable. Somewhere that will change me and maybe those around me. Somewhere in God's will.

I look at the patriarchs of the Bible and I want to have faith like theirs. I want to follow God, no matter the cost. That scares me because I don't know what that might be. Just writing those words, I wonder if I've set myself up for something I'm not ready for. Deep breath. He's already there. The God of the universe would never let me go anywhere without Him. He would never tell me to jump off a cliff without planning for a parachute. He's just too good to do otherwise.

I guess it really comes down to believing God and trusting in who He is. It's knowing deep inside that God wants what is best for me and that He will never leave me or forsake me. Faith is knowing that it's okay to step into the unknown because He's got this. Every step of the way. He's got this.