Faith means trusting forward

Faith means trusting forward what will only make sense in reverse.

"Perfect faith is the faith that moves us to trust God even when it seems as though God isn't moving". - Andy Stanley

My mind fills with an awkward silent sighs and I wonder. In those quiet moments, I have some worrisome thoughts. My heart just wants to see and understand. Does my wonder really do any good? “You can’t see it in person," hisses the enemy. It's true somewhat...I don't see the results. The work that God is doing is hidden for now.

There are days when I feel I don't accomplish much. I think about how I should be doing something more tangible–serving at a community food kitchen, distributing groceries, hugging the African littles, something, anything where I can feel progress or see a forward motion. There are days I get hung up on needing to see and feel the results. I know that need isn't right. In my wishful thinking I want to see overwhelming approval. I know that is wrong too.

I just need more faith.

What I really desire is evidence of something more tangible. I whispered to Jesus as darkness filled my early morning. “Are you sure God, I am so afraid!” He has laid something on my heart, a challenge to write something that I have never done before. It's a task of great undertaking. I have never ventured this far out of my comfort zone before.  This project brings fear into my heart, it makes my palms sweaty. And I don't know how it's going to turn out. And besides that, who am I to write it? I am nothing special.

Then... this verse rises into my heart…

Faith is being sure of what we hope for 
and certain of what we do not see. Hebrews 11:1

I’ve always thought of those words in the context of believing in Jesus but not in seeing results or the unseen faith things. On that morning it seemed liked there was something more He wanted to teach me. What God is calling me to do is just to be faithful.  To simply obey what He is asking of me.  What He wants of me is to act justly...and offer obedience in return. The results of the task are His business. He is the one making the difference. He is the One building my faith. He is the One who makes results come about. The One Who Loves whispers into the fear in my heart and the parts of my faith and speaks directly to my obedience.

It’s not about the results, it’s about my obedience.

Faith is believing. Faith is sure. Sure of hopes, dreams for the God-matters in this world.
Faith leaps, bounds and builds. Faith fans the flames of inspiration.
Faith is certain.

Faith is the evidence of what we do not see…even in our adversities, difficulties, uncertainties, and trials. 

Faith anchors us to the unseen. Only God knows the pricks, the folds and the imprints that are made. 

Faith in God writes His wonders on our hearts.
Faith measures what matters. It calls to the faithful. Faith submits, follows and obeys.
Faith makes a difference and changes.

Faith hears God whispering back saying…"submit…trust…obey". 

Faith is working the unseen things together for your good.
The I AM is taking care of the rest, the results. Keep the faith. Hold on. Pray for deeper faith. Pray for perfect faith. 

With the results unseen, it's beautiful obedience.

"Faith is deliberate confidence in the character of God whose ways you may not understand at the time.” 

~ Oswald Chambers

What's a hard thing God has asked you to do? Did you do it?

The Real of Duck Dynasty

The Real Men of Duck Dynasty

If you keep up with me on Twitter or Facebook you have seen a lot of posts about Duck Dynasty.  It's a reality TV show about a rags to riches family who have made it big in the duck hunting industry with a patented duck call.  I like this show for now.


It's not because they are rich or that they have, as Brent McCoy would say, awesome beards.  It's not because they are entrepreneurs and benevolent.  It's because they are real.  And they are living out their Christian life in public.  I know they are getting paid for it.  But have you seen how Miss Kay loves from her kitchen?  Phil, the drake of the family, is very traditional and holds relationships high.  This family is the real deal.    


God has really been speaking to me in this area of my life and I feel like it's time to get real with you.


No...I am not going to grow an awesome beard.  That would be inappropriate and ungodly as a lady.  Confession:  I don't like to expose my fragility to you.  That is an awkward place for me.


My inadequacies remind me that I don't have it all together.  That I am not perfect, even though I strive to be.  I have realized that I can't be.   It's impossible.  Too often as Christians we like to have all the answers.  Let me tell you...I don't.  I have tucked my pristine red super hero cape away in it's clean white box for now.  I don't need to know all the answers nor will I ever know them.    


My honesty exposes some ugly things in my heart and that is something I  don't want you to see.  I care about God's opinion the most, and guess what...He already knows about the ugliness.  I understand that he can handle our honest prayers.  He knows our thoughts before we think them.  He knows the dusty places in our hearts and the cobwebs in our brains.  He knows the evil things we think when we fly off the handle and react inappropriately.  He knows.


So in my being real, in my gut-level honesty, please don't step on my heart.  that is what I fear from you.  My purpose is not to say that I am better than you or have figured all this faith stuff out.  No, I just want to take you along on this movement of God in my life.  I am trusting God as He has already called me in spite of my created weaknesses. He made my heart broken.  He knows it breaks easily so I can trust Him for each and every piece, for all of them, as they fall.  And I now understand that in my brokenness, that is where He shines the most.  This is His Grace in my best.    

But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ's power may rest on me. ~ Corinthians 12:9