As ministry leaders we want to be people of faith and obedience. Leaders and pastors who aren’t afraid to take risks for the Kingdom of God, to step out into uncharted waters for God’s glory. We want to live our ministry with faith, trust, and dependence—not fear, and skepticism. However, as we stumble through doing that well, we sometimes find ourselves wondering… “In this situation, am I trusting God or simply being foolish?”; “Is that God’s way or my way?”
I imagine that many of you can probably relate to the tension I just described. After all, ministry is full of faith moments. Whether it is launching new programs, hiring new staff, or waiting for funding to come through, ministry is littered with big and small steps of faith.
So how do we know when the steps we take are truly steps of faith or just steps of irresponsibility? Steps of trust or steps of stupidity?
Israel vs Egyptians
Hebrews 11:29 is a fascinating verse that gives us insight into this predicament:
“By faith the people [of Israel] passed through the Red Sea as on dry land; but when the Egyptians tried to do so, they were drowned.”
Two different groups of people—similar in a lot of ways and yet very different. Both groups took a risk; they both did something bold and courageous, and yet the outcomes were completely different. Even though their actions were identical the motives were polar opposites. One acted in faith and the other in foolishness.[1]
Courageous boldness doesn’t prove faith. In fact, anytime our boldness leads us to risk we can be certain of one thing: it will be spectacular. Spectacularly awesome or spectacularly awful.[2]
Here are two lessons we can learn from this passage.
1) Some things that LOOK like faith aren’t.
It was by trusting God that the Israelites crossed the Red Sea. They did it by faith.
The Egyptians had faith—but their faith was in themselves not God.
The Egyptians did something that looked like faith. They thought they could do what the Israelites did, only they didn’t have the God of Israel with them. So the Israelites acted by faith, but the Egyptians acted out of foolishness.
Sometimes we have so much “faith” that we are… well… reckless.
I remember hearing a true story about a pastor who believed he could walk on water. He gathered his congregation around so they could witness the spectacular event. As he stepped out of the boat into the sea he immediately began to sink. Unfortunately, he also could not swim and ended up drowning.
It’s a tragic story and a good reminder that faith is not simply being foolish. While faith often does not make total sense and often looks like foolishness (1 Corinthians 1:27) it also does not mean we totally fail to consider reason, wisdom, and logic.
Sometimes our “trust” can just be our ego speaking. We do things to make ourselves appear as super spiritual which brings us humanly praise and admiration. In reality, it’s just a twisted way of using “faith” to boost ourselves. We should always ask ourselves: “If my trust harms other people is it really Godly trust? If my faith produces irresponsibility and disobedience is it really Godly faithfulness?”
Just because we label it faithful doesn’t mean it is faithful.
Our trust and faith should still look like Jesus. The outcomes should still be consistent with God’s character, the Scriptures, and His command to love others. [2]
Give the Egyptians credit for daring to do something reckless and risky. But what good is that if you’re not trusting in the Lord? Some things that look like faith are foolish.
2) Some things that LOOK foolish are actually faith
Imagine the feeling when Moses lifts his staff over the water. The Bible says: “Then Moses stretched out his hand over the sea, and all that night the Lord drove the sea back with a strong east wind and turned it into dry land. The waters were divided.”
That’s a miracle! But what would it be like to actually set off across the dry sea bottom with your cart of valuables in tow and a huge wall of water enclosing you? Logic says at any moment that water could collapse sending you washing away in a tidal wave. In truth, I think every single step taken between those walls of water was a step of faith.[1]
The same could be said when Abraham took off for a new land or when John, James, and Peter left everything to follow Jesus. It seemed foolishness on many levels but was a great act of obedience and faith.
How often in life do we chose what we know, can see, or can predict? Sometimes we wholeheartedly fail to trust God because our human wisdom tells us differently. In the name of “wisdom”, “prudence”, or “responsibility” we no longer risk for God.
We can’t let fear paralyze our trust and faith in God. Fear is clever and fear can hide behind wisdom.[2]
Faith or Foolishness – Making the call
So what happens when things still aren’t clear? What happens when your decision seems like it could be both faith and foolishness? What happens when you seek scripture, pray, fast, and ask others for wise counsel and you still haven’t come to a clear conclusion?
I think you go where you heart feels most at peace and let God lead you from there. Sometimes you need to pause, sometimes slow down, and sometimes you just need to make a decision and run with it.
So many dreams have died because people were terrified to make the wrong decision. Don’t be. Make the decision you feel God is leading you towards, dedicate it to God through prayer, and leave the outcome in His hands.[2]
“God I’m doing this (or not doing this) because I trust You. If it’s wrong, I trust You will show me. If it’s right, I trust You will show me. I’m trusting You with the outcome.”[2]
If you are struggling to walk this thin line of obedience between faith and foolishness you aren’t alone. May God grant you the peace to live with foolish faith for God’s glory.
As always, dedicate yourself to seeking God with all that you have. Fast, pray, and lean into Scripture. Myself and others are also available to pray with you. Sometimes a listening ear and partner in prayer is a good step to choosing faith over foolishness. So if that is your need today ask away!
Growth Point:
Faith can appear to be foolishness but foolishness never proves faith.
Scripture Point:
Reflect on 1 Corinthians 1:27. What correlation is Paul making between foolishness and human wisdom?
Action Point:
Where has God called you to act in faith? What fears are holding you back? Take time this week to address your options with God and make a commitment to follow through where God is leading.
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