Hebrews 11:1 (do yourself a favor and look it up)

Recently I found myself being asked to make some big decisions. You know, those decisions that you can just tell are going to alter your life in a very big way. I found myself just begging God to give me the answer and show me which way to go. And then I was reminded of a sermon I had seen in a staff meeting recently. It was a recording from a leadership conference a few years ago. Erwin McManus was speaking about knowing and trusting God’s will. He said something to the effect of “When we say we are praying for ‘God’s will’ to be revealed to us, usually we already know what God’s will is, and what we are really praying about is the outcome”.

Um, okay God, I get it! The truth was I already knew what the answer was, I was just praying about the logistics, my fears, and my lack of skills. I found myself debating with God. I knew what he was asking of me, but it required stepping out of my comfort zone, and it’s so warm and cozy in there, I don’t wanna leave!! “God, you know I’m usually all for change, but I just got everything the way I like it, are you sure you want to shake things up?” And, “Okay, I’m all for a good adventure, but honestly, how is this going to work? I mean, are you sure you don’t want to ask someone else who is more qualified? Wouldn’t I be more qualified for something else?”

Talking about faith and walking it out are very different things, before me was a definite opportunity to take the leap, so why was I being so stubborn? Truth be told, I wanted my way. I had an idea of how the next few years of my life should look and these new opportunities were not part of that plan. I was having a hard time accepting His plan over mine. Then He challenged me to look at the past five years of my life and to revisit all of the amazing things He had allowed me to experience and accomplish. He showed me how He has given me purpose, changed my heart and blessed me as I have walked hand in hand with Him. Compare this to the previous five years of my life when I walked away from God aka “the dark ages”. During those years I was just floating thru life with no purpose and no goals. I could not have been more unintentional with my days if I tried. I was lost.

He has brought me this far, and He has no intention of leaving me here. On my own my life had no direction. Five years ago I took a leap of faith and gave my life to Christ. He has not left my side, and He will not leave my side. If you find yourself being asked to take a step of faith I challenge you to look back at your life and see all of the amazing blessings you have received from being faithful in following Him. Think back on times you have acted in faith and He has brought you through. Acts of faith are opportunities to increase your faith!