faith

A Step of Faith

Has God asked you to do the impossible? Have you taken a step of faith and done something you believed you’d never do? Maybe impossible in your strength, but not in His.

The story of Queen Esther is one of my favorite Bible stories. Esther, an introverted woman, took a bold step of faith after she fasted. She stood in the inner court before the king without being summoned. An action that could have been fatal. God gave her the strength she needed to save her people from annihilation.

What emotions do you suppose she faced? Insecurity? Fear?

As she fasted, did she obsess over reasons that might make her an inferior choice to save her people? Did she try to persuade God to select someone more qualified? Would the king remove her from his presence and send her to her death if she carried out her plan? I imagine she approached him with weakened knees and a racing heartbeat.

When God impresses upon us to do something extraordinary, we often find ourselves in a scary place. Insecurity and fear may grip us. But when God calls us to do something, He equips us, too. What does it take for us to answer His call? Faith.

I’d like to share an example from my life of taking a step of faith and hope you’ll do the same in the comments.

In a Sunday evening church service, a video played which reminded the congregation of an upcoming mission trip to Malawi, Africa. I’d seen this video on other occasions, but on that evening, a thought popped into my head that I’d never considered. “I want to go.” My husband sat on my left. I turned to share my idea with him when insecurity and fear struck me. Instead, I kept quiet. I couldn’t go unless he went too.

After service on our drive home, the first words out of our youngest daughter’s mouth were, “I want to go on the mission trip to Malawi.”

A wave of relief washed over me. God called her to go—not me. I chuckled and looked at Kenn. “I almost turned to you during the video and said, ‘I want to go.’”

His response: “Wait until you hear this. During the video, I wondered if the two of you would go without me.”

Did God want me to step out in faith and travel halfway around the world without my husband?

My first mission trip caused me to rely on God more than ever. After weeks of preparation and prayer, we arrived in Malawi and shared the Gospel in remote villages for several days. God stretched me. I prayed and trusted Him to guide and strengthen me. When insecurity attacked, I relied upon Him and His Word. So much so that two years later, I returned to Malawi on a second mission trip. I knew God would join me there and help me speak His Word and share from my heart.

Fear not, for I am with you; Be not dismayed, for I am your God.
I will strengthen you, Yes, I will help you, I will uphold you
with My righteous right hand.
Isaiah 41:10 (NKJV) 

It’s your turn. Please share a step of faith you’ve taken, or a favorite verse when you’re struggling with insecurity or fear.

Photos by Stewart Linthicum and Stormy Morgan

In His Time

For those of you who are following my home-buying saga, let me be transparent. After looking at over thirty-five homes and losing eight that we loved, I’m tempted to say, “this stinks.”

Let me tell you about one of my favorite houses. Most of the homes we’ve made offers on have been brick, but one was a pale blue vinyl and the smallest home we’ve considered. The one-acre yard screamed my name with a lovely view just over the back fence. Two cows enjoyed their afternoon rest. My heart leapt for joy when I saw them. I squealed and called out, “Hello cows! How are you today?” One stood and stared at me. I don’t think she’s had many strangers say hello, but I love cows. We lived on a farm for a few years with Kenn’s parents and raised lots of them. Although I walked through the house, I didn’t need to. The cows convinced me to make an offer.

I stated this in my last blog: “But we persevere. We strive to find a home despite these difficulties. God is still in control and knows where our house is located and when we’ll find it. He has a plan for us, and we trust He will provide us a home soon.”

Do I still believe that? Yes! But I need to reevaluate the word, soon. How long is that? Does it mean any of these?

  • Before long

  • Any old day now

  • Before you know it

  • Lickity-split

  • In no time

We moved to Tennessee eight weeks ago. Maybe I should have used one of these instead.

  • Sooner or later

  • Sometime

  • Eventually

  • In the long run

  • In the course of time

Instead of using the word “soon,” or any of those above, a better way for me to state this would be, “in His time.” God will provide us a home when He’s ready and when we’re where He wants us to be.

In the meantime, we’re not giving up. We’ll continue to look for a house and walk in faith. We want to be in His perfect will and place.

When disappointment and discouragement creep in and I’m tempted to say, “this stinks,” I read my Bible aloud to increase my faith and spend extra time in prayer. I know that in His time we will find our home.

Consequently, faith comes from hearing the message,
and the message is heard through the word about Christ. 
Romans 10:17, NIV

Photo by Priscilla Du Preez - Unsplash

Faith Walk

This week we made our fourth offer on a house. We are waiting to hear if they accepted our offer. Meanwhile, we continue our faith walk and trust that God is working behind the scenes. While we wait, we continue to enjoy our daughter’s family and their hospitality. They’ve been a blessing to us.

Last week, because of the ice and snow, we couldn’t make it out of the subdivision. Groceries ran low, but we managed. Thankful we didn’t lose power. But this week, our temperatures rose into the sixties and seventies with plenty of sunshine. We met our son and his family at a state park and walked a two-mile trail together. Elbow bumps replaced hugs, but we enjoyed catching up and spending time with the grandkids.

Our seven-year-old grandson is a fan of the Tennessee Titans and Seattle Seahawks. He told me that his favorite thing to do is play flag football or toss a football back and forth with his dad.

Our ten-year-old granddaughter laughed, as she told me a joke she’d heard from her dad and the story that went along with it. An unfunny joke that I told an Algebra class 30 years ago. I’ll share the story as best as I remember it.

The class clown—I’ll call him Jeff because I don’t remember his name—wasn’t in class, and a student asked me to tell a joke. After I tried to convince the class that I didn’t know any, I shared the unfunny joke with as much dramatic flair as I could muster.

There were two penguins named Earl and Pearl standing on an
iceberg. Earl liked to show off for Pearl, so he kept performing
daring dives into the water. After one plunge, he stayed underwater
for longer than normal. Pearl became worried. She looked to her
right and to her left, crying out, “Earl. Earl. Earl, where are you?”
Earl burst forth from the water and said, “Radio!”

There were a few chuckles from students thinking their teacher was crazy. Others just stared—bewildered. Several shook their heads and said, “I don’t get it.”

I told them that was what made the joke funny. When you tell it, someone should be in on the joke. They laugh while others scratch their heads in confusion.

I don’t remember who came up with the idea, but they convinced me to tell the joke the next day when Jeff returned. It played out as we expected. Most of the class laughed when I retold it. Jeff just shook his head and stared at everyone as if we’d gone mad.

My granddaughter loved the story. Her laughter brought joy to my heart. I hope Jeff remembers the joke with fondness and wasn’t traumatized by our prank. If I could remember his name, I’d look for him on social media and apologize.

These special moments with our family make waiting for a home sweeter. God has a plan for us, and we know He’s working even though we can’t see it. We’re on a faith walk.  

Now faith is the substance of things hoped for,
the evidence of things not seen. 
Hebrews 11:1, NKJV

Photo by Derek Oyen - Unsplash

Hit Hard

Have you ever been hit hard with something you weren’t at all expecting? Terrible news of some sort you never thought would affect you or those you love? Perhaps the unexpected death of a loved one, divorce of a family member, a personal job loss, a tragic accident, or an unforeseen diagnosis?

Even in those times, God is working on our behalf and will never leave us. He’s our hope and help. He comforts us when we’re weary, provides peace when we’re stressed, and gives us joy in our sorrow.

My husband and I went on a hike two weeks ago and returned home to devastating news. We notified family and friends and called upon them to pray over this situation. Their support and understanding brought comfort to our troubled hearts.

Two days later, during my quiet time with the Lord, I read Romans Chapter 8. When I finished, I reread verse 28.

And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.

I said, “Yes, Lord. You are working for our good in this circumstance, and I thank You.”

Within a few hours, another hit came, which made what happened earlier even more devastating. That’s when Romans 8:26-27 came to life as I cried out to the Lord.

In the same way, the Spirit helps us in our weakness. We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us through wordless groans. And he who searches our hearts knows the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for God’s people in accordance with the will of God.

Later that day, my husband quoted Romans 8:28 unaware I’d read that same scripture twice that morning. And that evening, as we streamed our mid-week service, our pastor shared the same verse. God was speaking to my heart and telling me that He was in control and working, even though I felt uncertain. How do I know this? His Word declares it. I love Him and He has called me, so He is working for good in my life and in others affected by this news.

Be encouraged knowing that even in our struggles, God is with us. He works even when we can’t see what He is doing. That’s where faith comes in. Faith to believe God is at work in our situation to fulfill his purpose in us.

We walk in faith and hope knowing God is at work. Even when we’re hit hard, He is with us because the Holy Spirit is in us. The Spirit pleads for me and He pleads for you. If you are struggling or hurting, please know God is working in all things.

Father, many of us have been hit hard with trials. But You, Lord, are at work in each of our situations and for this I thank You. I’m also grateful for the Holy Spirit who pleads for my needs according to Your will. I love you, Lord, and thank you for loving me. In Jesus’s name. Amen.

All scripture is from the New International Version (NIV).

Photo by Aliyah Jamous - Unsplash

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