We often view faith as something we seek, but is it something we actually seek to control? Faith it says in the bible is a gift from God, from mustard seeds to mountains it seems the opiate of the Christian faith. If you got it you are the lucky one-Anything is possible! This might be a nice way of saying faith is a means of getting my way, of my plans working out. But faith it seems to me is beyond this definition. Our faith is in God, not in circumstances, or the outcomes we desire, it isn't even the companion to the plans that we have made. It has really nothing to do with our particular journeys as
we see it. It has to do with where He is leading us. This we cannot see, we cannot guess even. This could be bad news for control freaks, people who need to know everything in advance. And for success oriented individuals. HOLD everything lightly. This means we could actually fail at something, be sick, have blah days. The peace comes in knowing that God is our lead not just a companion in suffering, disappointment and failure. His interest is in us. Our faith response to Him is to say, 'yes lord I will follow-wherever.'
God is more interested in our response to Him, than in what we think He wants us to do. This means that if suddenly our life takes a major corner, we loose a job, we go through a family crisis, it isn't that God isn't there, that we heard wrong etc.. Faith says, 'He is my rock, I will go where He leads.'
The lord is my shepherd,
I shall not be in want,
He leads me beside still waters,
He restores my soul,
He leads me in paths of righteousness for
HIS name sake.
Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death
I will fear no evil.
His rod and staff they comfort me
Surely goodness and mercy will follow me all the days of
my life. And I will dwell in his presence
FOREVER.
psalm 23
1 comment:
dude - great post. I just was able to preach on trust two weeks ago. Lots of fun eh? Can't wait to get you guys down here - we have a couch you can sleep on too - queen size pull out!
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