"Believing in what you can't see, because of what you CAN see."
That's how the Re:think group's Family Virtues define faith. It's a funny little word, with lots of connotations for lots of different reasons. Yesterday, in Epic Kids service we talked about how faith is useless if it doesn't DO anything. Faith requires action to actually be real faith.
In other words, if I have faith that a chair will hold me up, but I refuse to sit down my faith is useless.
If I trust that my kids will tell the truth, but I always accuse them of lying to me, I don't really trust them at all, do I?
So if I say I have faith in God (because I'm a good Christian girl and that's what I'm supposed to say), but I continually worry about how my finances are going to come together, or whether my kids will follow Jesus, or whether I'll ever have furniture I like....do I REALLY have faith in God?
Last week my husband and I spent hours trying to figure out how I was going to get from Dallas to Tulsa, Oklahoma by myself after I flew into Dallas at 10 p.m. We just couldn't figure out how to make it work well. We researched changing the ticket, buying a new ticket...nothing came together.
But when one of my flights was delayed I just happened to make it onto a direct flight into Tulsa...for free. As I was walking onto the plane I had to laugh. What a fool I am. I work and work, worry and worry some more about things God already has completely under His control. And the WORST part is, I REALLY think I can take care of it better than He can.
I really
don't
trust Him.
I've realized, in many ways, my faith is dead. And until I throw myself off the ledge of comfort, that will not change.
I need to give more than I've ever thought of giving.
I need to love until it hurts me, and then I need to love some more.
I need to stop caring about people's opinions and start caring about people.
So, share with me:
- how is your faith being tested right now?
- when is the last time you did something that made no earthly sense but gave God the opportunity to come through?
- if you asked the people who know you the best, how strong would they say your trust in God is?
Comments (1)
I completely agree. I am a worrier, for sure. I always worry about the future, i.e. WHERE I WILL GO TO COLLEGE, financial stuff in my family, etc. And today I was reading in Hebrews and I came across this verse.
ANDHebrews 11:6 - It is impossible to please God apart from faith. And why? Because anyone who wants to approach God must believe that He exists
that He cares enough to respond to those who seek him.
Geez. Done.