I went to church wondering what I would write about this week. I had different options I could run with to repurpose older content in the flow of what I posted over the past month. However, I love how God will make the sermon turn into a new idea instead. After all, the bible tells us we make plans, but God directs our steps. This will definitely happen if we will step out in faith no matter what risks loom before us. I shared about what love really is and how forgiveness sets us free so we might know God a little better and how these things affected me to have faith to accept Jesus.
Let’s start off with what faith is per the bible. The word is described mostly as a noun in the dictionary, but it can also be taken as a verb. It is synonymous with belief and trust. We all act upon what we believe and trust, but will step back otherwise. Thus, our actions will show where our faith lies. People will know if we believe Jesus by how we walk through life, whether the sun is shining or a storm is raging.
Why call stepping out with God risky faith? Logic won’t help us feel more certain about it. In Matthew 14:22-33, we read the story about Peter walking on the water in the middle of a storm when Jesus tells him to come. The rest of the disciples think it has to be a ghost or something because men can’t walk on water. Peter climbs out of the boat and walks on water until he takes his eyes off Jesus to notice the raging storm. Of course, Jesus helps him into the boat, despite admonishing his lack of faith. I’m sure I’m right there with Peter and the other disciples because I may have not climbed out of a boat when Jesus asked or if I did, I would let the storm get the best of me before reaching the goal God set for me.
Another thing we should watch out for is assuming we have faith because we found peace. Is that peace because we got comfortable with the situation rather than pushing through with faith? I have to wonder to what extent I may have simply found comfort in my disability. It’s been fourteen years since I was put on long-term disability. In that time, I’ve found a routine that works for me and I know how to be content in this, like Paul proclaimed we should do in all things. However, being content shouldn’t mean we give up on expecting God to do something, unless He tells us to stop asking. Paul is an example because he had a thorn in his side that on the third ask, God told him why the thorn would remain (2 Corinthians 12:7-10). I have heard nothing to stop my asking. I have faith God knows when the best time to fix it will be. My logic wants to run off to a fix, but my faith knows the right answer will come from God, so I keep waiting and asking.
We should let nothing stop us from confirming we are really talking to God. Peter asked with a request and climbed out of the boat because Jesus answered, “Come.” God will answer when you ask. Sometimes it is silence, but I’ve found that usually means I have something to learn. I’ve had too many experiences that proved this point. The revelation never comes before the storm, but after you have walked through it. It takes far stronger faith to stick with God in a storm or to step out into the impossible, like Peter walking on water, than it does during a peaceful moment. I’ve found those peaceful moments are so I can reflect on what I went through because I will need the revelation for weathering the next storm.
Faith in God demands action. We can’t please God without faith, per Hebrews 11:6. The desire to take action won’t exist without it. We are saved by acting on our faith, per Ephesians 2:8. God will call us to walk by faith, not by sight, per 2 Corinthians 5:7. We must believe God can and will do the things he promises. Walking with Jesus will lead to learning more about him and giving us the power to grow our relationship with him. Faith is not optional.
I have plenty to learn. It’s a process, not an instantaneous thing, because relationships must be built. Each step I take leads me closer to him and reveals the next thing to learn as I peel off layers of the old self and apply the new.
Don’t wait. You can step out in faith and overcome the fears and risks that try to stop you from finding and relating fully with Jesus. Once you take the first step, life will change, but God will always be there, unchanged, to help you with the next step. You can have a crazy, abundant life like I have, despite the storms. Sometimes the best part comes within the storm like Peter walking on water before Jesus calmed anything. Each time you apply risky faith, your faith in God will be strengthened.
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