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.

January 6, 2014

This is another wonderful devotional from David Jeremiah.

A New Year to Embrace Change

By faith Abraham obeyed when he was called to go out to the place which he would receive as an inheritance. And he went out, not knowing where he was going.
Hebrews 11:8

Recommended Reading Jeremiah 29:11

A lot of us need a change of pace this year; but what we're really having trouble with is the pace of change. All change -- even the good -- is hard. It involves adjustment, moving from the familiar to the unfamiliar, from the settled past into the unknown future. As Anatole France said, "All changes, even the most longed for, have their melancholy; for what we leave behind us is a part of ourselves; we must die to one life before we can enter another."

We can embrace change by knowing we serve an unchanging God. At the beginning of this new year, we confess with Joshua: "We have never been this way before." But our faithful, changeless Lord will show us the way to go, guide us at every juncture, bless us at every step, and provide goodness and mercy every day of our lives.

Let's not dig in our heels and cling to the past. Heed the words God gave to Joshua: "Sanctify yourselves, for tomorrow the Lord will do wonders among you .... As I was with Moses, so I will be with you" (Joshua 3:5, 7).

Everyone is in favor of progress; it's change they don't like.
In The Mentor

Sunday, September 9, 2012

What Are You Waiting For?

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

The other day I came across a reporter’s notebook. It wasn’t one of those flimsy things newspapers doled out back in the day. This one was nice, with a hard cover and lines that were spread far enough apart that you could actually see what you wrote.

It was, no doubt, a gift. One I treasured so much that I’ve kept it all these years. One that I’ve held on to, waiting for the perfect story, the perfect moment, to use it. As I flipped thru those pages filled with nothing, I realized that a perfect moment would never come because ir doesn’t exist. And I’ve wasted an opportunity to use something I cherished because I waited too long.

I think we view the gifts God gives us like that notebook someone gave me. We treasure it. We hold it close. We marvel in gratitude at the rightness of that perfect gift. And we never use it because we’re waiting for a perfect time that’s never going to happen.

Many of us had childhood dreams of a glorious adult life. Some lucky ones, people who followed their call, reached the mountaintop. Others, like me, waited for a better day. And now I look back, amazed at the years that have passed while I’ve waited for a perfect time.

The simple truth is that critics will always abound. Their names may change but their voices are the same. I’ve got to move toward God’s call on my life despite the negative comments and putdowns.

I will never have enough time to do all the things I long to do. Not because the longing isn’t there. And not because I don’t work hard. But because for every thing I do, there are 10 other things that pop up on that long to do list. The list keeps getting longer and my time keeps getting shorter.

Why is it that we wait to live until it is almost time to die? What are we so very afraid of? Because fear is at the root of procrastination. We could call it a million other names. Laziness, busyness, practicality, steadiness. We don’t want to leave the comfort of what we know for the dream that may never be. We’re more afraid of failure than of remaining the same.

Abraham didn’t know where he was going when he followed God’s call. He didn’t need to know. Abraham trusted God. He believed in God’s character. He knew that God could do anything and that God would keep His promises. Abraham had faith. What about you?

Thursday, April 22, 2010

Step Out In Faith

"Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see."

-- Hebrews 11:1

This verse has been on my mind a great deal this week. HIS Radio (94.3 in Dothan) is having its annual Friendraiser. It's a really big deal because the radio station ended last year with a deficit. This fundraising event can mean the radio station stays on the air -- or not.

I've given money to the station off and on for a couple of years. I give what I feel I can, when I feel I can. I've resisted giving a monthly amount. My income is irregular at best. As an artist, there are months when things are great and months when there is nothing coming in. I've learned to plan for that. Why, then, am I so hesitant to commit to contributing monthly to a Christian radio station I love?

All the what-ifs crowd my mind. What if I don't have enough money? What if I have to choose between the radio station and health insurance? What if??? It sounds silly even as I write this. I believe strongly that God is calling me to do this. If that's true, He'll provide the money. No need to worry.

The radio station announcers call this stepping out in faith. God blesses those who give to Him and there is no doubt in my mind that this radio station ministry belongs to Him. He will make sure I have the money I need each month to take care of necessities and give to HIS radio.

I know God will provide. So why is it so scary to step out in faith? I can't see the future. I don't know what is headed my way. I'm afraid of what may or may not happen. God knows what lies ahead. And He promises to take care of me and never, ever leave me. God always keeps His promises. Now, He'll make sure I keep mine.