Step Out In Faith
Jesus looked at them and said, “With man this is impossible, but with God all things are
possible.” – Matthew 19:26
What’s impossible for God? Nothing. You know the
answer without me having to say a word. But do you believe it? Really? Words
are easy to speak but faith, well, that’s not always easy.
Many years ago I wanted to build a children’s chair
that would be both fun and structurally sound. I drew a large flower and cut it
out of pine wood. It would replace the slats on the chair back.
My father, who generally knew more about construction
that me, said it would never work. I wanted to try anyway. He refused to help
me put the chair together. He viewed it as a waste of time.
I waited patiently. It wasn’t long before my parents
headed out for a long weekend trip. I spent those days gluing (Yes, you read
that right. I used glue.) two chairs together. It was a painstaking process
that required me to glue one piece at a time, always making sure it was in
exactly the right position, then let it dry before heading back to add another
piece.
The chairs were done before my parents returned. My
idea had worked. The glue was so strong and the structure so sound, that even I
could sit on them without catastrophe. I made many of those chairs – using screws
– and branched out into fish and sailboats, tea cups and cowboy hats. It was fun
and the kids loved it.
I’d like to say that my father never again doubted my
ideas. That wouldn’t be true. He believed in doing things the way they’d always
been done. If no one had ever done it, then it couldn’t be done. I believed in
trying new things and stretching my artistic wings. If it failed, so what? Try
anyway.
I wonder sometimes how many things never get done in
God’s kingdom because someone is standing there saying it can’t be done. How
often do we limit ourselves and our God because someone is there questioning
every step we take?
What has God called you to do? Have you held back
because of time, money, support? Are you afraid to step forward because it’s
something you’ve never done? Do it anyway. God doesn’t call us to do something
and then abandon us on the journey. He calls us to step out in faith and then
He equips us every step of the way.
That’s hard for some of us. I want a plan. I know.
That’s kind of surprising for an artist and a writer. But I like the security
of knowing how things are going to unfold, what the days ahead will bring, and
how I’ll juggle it all. God says not to worry about those things. He’s enough.
I know that. But I’m also like the child in the backseat continually asking questions.
I can’t seem to shut it all off and just enjoy the moments as they unfold. I
miss so much because of that.
I’m thankful for the times I stepped out in faith and
did something no one else believed I could. And I regret the times I held back
because all those around me told me I couldn’t. I wish I had trusted God more.
I wish I had believed enough in Him to know He had my back and it would all
turn out for my good and His glory.
What is God calling you to do today? Step out in
faith. You might end up amazing yourself and all the naysayers around you.
