A faith like that!

"We have around us so many people whose lives tell us what faith means. So let us run the race that is before us and never give up. We should remove from our lives anything that would get in the way and the sin that so easily holds us back. Let us look only to Jesus, the One who began our faith and who makes it perfect." Hebrews 12:1-2

In Max Lucado's book God's Inspirational Promises, there is a note titled "Strength" which says:
 "An example of faith was found on the wall of a concentration camp. On it a prisoner had carved the words: I believe in the sun, even though it doesn't shine, I believe in love, even when it isn't shown, I believe in God, even when he doesn't speak." I try to imagine the person who etched those words. I try to envision his skeletal hand gripping the broken glass or stone that cut into the wall. I try to imagine his eyes squinting through the darkness as he carved each letter. What and could have cut such a conviction? What eyes could have seen good in such horror? There is only one answer: Eyes that chose to see the unseen."

Wowza. I cannot even fathom my own self possessing the kind of strength of trust displayed from the prisoner in this story. I get overwhelmed even when things are going good and I often fear for how I will react when bad times come, and indeed they will. I have had my own struggles and dark times in my young life, but I have not suffered. Sometimes I feel like God is preparing me now to trust in Him in the good and bad.

I pray we can all have a disposition like Job's. God knew his heart and that he was "blameless and upright." God protected Job's very life even though Satan robbed him of everything else. Satan mocked God saying that the only reason Job was a faithful, God-fearing man was because he had everything at his disposal but that through the loss of his family, home, health and possessions he would reject the God he once loved. Everyone around Job viewed him as an ignorant, manipulated fool, but he remained steadfast. In the third chapter of the book of Job, he laments. He is utterly grief stricken and overwhelmed by sorrow and suffering. He is human and still must ask, "What strength do I have, that I should still hope?" (6:11) He cries out to God, what have I done to deserve this? Why have you not interceded on my behalf? Everyone will ask this question at some point. We often don't understand what or why we are forced to struggle and endure, but looking back we can see God's handiwork. It's all about perspective.

God always answers. Not in the way we may expect or understand, but He does. God finally says to Job, "Where were you when I laid the earth's foundations? Tell me, if you understand." (38:4) God asks him are you the one with the power over heaven and earth? Is it you who brings the dawn? Have you been shown the gates of death? Where is light and where is darkness? Job cannot answer these questions because God is God and we are not. Look at God's power. He is in control, not us and therefore we do not always need to understand. We certainly want to, but we can't and shouldn't. That is trust.

I want a faith like Job's. I want a faith like the prisoner in Lucado's story. In the last chapter, Job replies to God "I know that you can do all things...Surely I spoke of things I did not understand...My ears had heard of you but now my eyes have seen you." Job repents and is restored. I pray that we can all humbly come before God and admit we were wrong and weak, but our Lord is strong and just. Wake up to the sunrise and recognize you did not put it there, therefore you cannot know all there is to know or understand all the ways of the Creator. My best friend's blog is titled "Embracing the Mystery." This is so fitting for our daily journey with God. It's a beautiful mystery, but not a maze we are meant to feel trapped or lost in. Jesus directs our paths and His Word reveals the truth that provides a solid path to walk on. A faith like that changes everything.

Be bold!

I have arrived at Kaleo in Panama City Beach, Florida and the summer is already off to an amazing start. I don't do well with endings, but I love new beginnings. I have already learned so much and I can tell how I will be stretched and challenged this summer and experience profound growth in my walk with God. I am so thankful for my best friend Kayla Conant for challenging me to step out of my comfort zone, appeal to my convictions, and follow God with reckless abandon. My fear and timidity often stifles me and my reactions to situations, but this opportunity has already shown me how to step up and step out in faith.

This summer we are studying the book of 2 Timothy. As I was reading today, the verse that most struck me was 2 Timothy 1:6-7 which says, "I remind you to fan into flame the gift of God...For God did not give us a spirit of timidity, but a spirit of power, of love and of self-discipline." I had to recognize that my fear, lack of confidence, and insecurities are not only my own faults and weaknesses but devices of the enemy. God did not give us a spirit of timidity; we obtain it from fear and doubt. The first chapter of 2 Timothy goes on to say in verse 12, "Yet I am not ashamed, because I know whom I have believed..." We are learning in this program how to disciple and witness the gospel of Jesus Christ to the world. There is no place for fear or shame in God's great commission for us to share the Good News. There is no place for timidity in proclaiming the glory of God! Why is it that we are so apt to avidly proclaim good news in any other situation in life, but many of us shake in our boots in the thought of directly relaying the GREATEST NEWS EVER to people.

Galatians 1:10 asks "Am I now trying to win the approval of men, or of God? Or am I trying to please men?" There verse goes on to assert, "If I were still trying to please men, I would not be a servant of Christ." I am so guilty of trying to please men over God. I have been kept from sharing my faith out of fear of offending someone, or from fear of coming off as judgmental, condescending, or self-righteous. But I would much rather "offend" someone through universal absolute truth than comfort them with sugar-coated falsehood. That's hard for me as a people-pleaser and as someone who cares so much for the feelings of others, but I know in the grand scheme of things it is the right thing. Jesus' parables and teachings call in to question the way we are living and the way we think, act and believe. Many of the words he spoke would have offended his disciples, followers and strangers. I pray we can all speak truth in love and do it without fear or timidity.

Be bold. Cast off your fears. Embrace your call as a servant of Christ entrusted with the gift of His message of salvation for ALL. Amen and amen.