Is God calling you to step out in faith? Has He called you to do so in the past? What’s holding you back?

If you are like me, your acts of obedience are often more like calculated risks, rather than steps of faith. Before we step out we often want answers to all of our questions. We want to fully know what we are getting ourselves into. We ask for road maps and markers that will assure us of our safety. We seek clarity, affirmation, and confidence so we aren’t caught off guard. We want guarantees and sureties before we take our first step.

And while all of those desires and requests aren’t bad—in fact I am always encouraging others to seek them—the question I have found myself wrestling with is this:

Will my steps of faith and obedience always make sense?

The walk of faith is a constant learning process. But the joy comes in finding gems of truth through personal experience with God along the way. In my attempt to answer the question above, here are a few things I am learning on my journey. As leaders and pastors, I hope you find these as encouragement to the steps of faith you are taking.

1. God’s truth often seems upside down.

In our limited understanding, we often struggle to come to grips with how God chooses to operate. We struggle to understand that from the least comes the greatest, from weakness comes strength, from death comes life!

What seems natural and normal for us is many times not the path God chooses.

2 Corinthians 5:7 says:

“For we live by faith, not by sight.”

What we see doesn’t always make sense. In fact, sometimes it seems absolutely upside down, but God’s faithfulness assures us of this truth: Faith is infinitely more reliable than sight. If you are waiting for your steps of faith to all make sense before you take them, maybe they never will.

2. Circumstances that perplex us often take us to new depths of faith.

God’s ways are always greater than ours. We know this, but in our times of indecision it is sometimes tough to live out. Perplexing situations challenge us to trust solely in God’s promises.

Ecclesiastes 7:13-14 says:

“Consider what God has done: Who can straighten what He has made crooked? When times are good, be happy; but when times are bad, consider this: God has made the one as well as the other. Therefore, no one can discover anything about their future.”

Too often, my immediate response to confusing circumstances is to try to make sense of them in order to make them fit comfortably into the way I think God would or should act.[1] However, that is not faith. That is me exercising my limited understanding of the ways of an unlimited God.

Perplexing circumstances can push us to deeper faith, if we allow ourselves to go there. Which leads to the next point…

3. Knowing more would make it easier to say yes. That’s a myth!

If you knew the pain you were in for, would you take that step of faith? If you knew the ridicule, embarrassment, frustration, or the isolation you would feel would you still step out in obedience to do the tough thing God called you to do? If I am honest I would probably say, “No.” I would avoid pain, but in doing so miss the blessing of growing in my faith.

It’s a myth that knowing more would make it easier to say yes. It’s a lie we stumble on. The truth is sometimes details can paralyze us!

If we wait until we have it all spelled out, that’s no longer faith-driven commitment— that’s just executing a plan. [2] I have personally come to realize that, sometimes, it is actually a gift from God to step into the unknown rather than the known.

4. I think short-term and God thinks long-term

God’s timeline is often very different than ours. Thus, at times, I have to work really hard to remain patient. What seems best for me now, in the immediate, is not always what is best for me in the long-term.

When we think about our steps of faith we must always understand that God sees things from an eternal sovereign perspective. He sees how each step we take affects and influences the person we will be down the road.

The journey of faith is really about letting go of our own will and submitting ourselves to the timeline, direction, and will of the Lord instead.[2]

Courage is needed!

Think of Abraham in Genesis 12:1:

“The LORD had said to Abram, “Go from your country, your people, and your father’s household to the land I will show you.”

With no clue where he was going, Abraham left and followed in obedience. That’s faith!

I have the privilege to talk to many of you often, and I know the steps of faith you are contemplating are tough and often filled with unknowns. It is my prayer that you find the courage of Abraham to walk in obedience and trust God, knowing that commitment is always laced with doubt, hesitation, and mystery, but leads to growth, sharpening, and blessing.

I’m reminded of the song “Oceans” by Hillsong. Part of the lyrics are:

Spirit lead me where my trust is without borders,

let me walk upon the waters, wherever you would call me.

Take me deeper than my feet could ever wander,

and my faith will be made stronger. In the presence of my Savior.

Listen to it here and be encouraged:

Growth Point:

Faith will always be filled with a certain amount of unknown, so waiting for it to make sense… makes no sense.

Scripture Point:

Read Proverbs 3:5-6. What does God promises you when you follow Him in obedience?

Action Point:

Identify the areas in your life where more faith is needed. Pray and ask God to give you the courage to walk forward. Step out in bold steps of faith this week to live into what God has for you.

 

[1] http://unlockingthebible.org/when-life-doesnt-make-sense/

[2] http://www.alifeoverseas.com/stop-waiting-for-it-all-to-make-sense/

http://www.juliesunne.com/when-things-look-bleak-and-ugly-3-reasons-to-walk-in-faith-not-by-sight/