Simply by Faith...

Is it easy to trust God? If not, why not? I must confess that I consistently struggle with fully trusting God. It is a tough confession to make. After all, isn't a full time minister supposed to trust God at all times and in all circumstances? (if you think the answer is Yes, I challenge you to launch into full time ministry...) So, I am once again faced with my shame over the glaring inadequacies in my faith. I don't always trust God...

Thankfully, God is full of patience and tenderness toward me. He understands me better than I understand myself. He sees the doubts and fears long before they manifest themselves in my small, finite mind and heart. He graciously grants me the latitude to grow slowly, over time, much like a mighty oak tree that takes decades to reach its fullest beauty and strength. While I may feel like a small, insignificant sapling today, God continues to work in me His life and abundance, confident in His own ability to shape me into the stable man He designed me to be. In the process, I must learn to simply trust Him to complete that which He started.

I am learning that faith is not something that originates in me. Faith is from God. None of us have the ability to believe, or trust, God apart from Him graciously supplying such faith. Faith, therefore, is a gift from God. As I learn that faith comes from God I am less prone to conjure up a false trust in my own ability. I don't need to close my eyes tighter and attempt to produce a "feeling" of faith. No, instead I drop to my knees, fully aware of my desperate need for God's touch. I am unable to produce the faith my heart needs. Only through my surrender to God can I obtain this precious gift of faith to stand against the challenges and perplexities life brings against me. Only faith from God can calm my heart when life threatens to overwhelm me.

How then do we receive this gift of faith? I believe we must know the heart of God before we can receive the faith He gives. God IS good, despite how our circumstances may lead us astray from such a truth. He is good, even when the pink slip arrives on the desk at work. He is good, even as the teenage daughter shares she is pregnant. He is good, even when the accountant calls to say the tax bill is more than you can pay. God's goodness is not affected by the harshness of life. He is good because His character is unflawed and perfect. There is no darkness, sin, or corruption in Him. God is not like us, therefore we must see Him as He truly is to appreciate the wonder of His gift of faith.

Unfortunately, because we are not like God it can be difficult to receive the faith to believe He is good when life hits a sour note. But just because we are not like God does not mean we cannot trust Him. As He supplies the faith, He proves to us His goodness and faithfulness, regardless of our situation. As we choose to receive this free gift of faith we relinquish our demands for life to turn out as we expect, and instead choose to let God lead as He wishes. And you know what? God does not lead us in cruelty or judgment. No, He leads in love, compassion, and grace. He leads us through the dangers and toils of life with strength, wisdom, and great care. He desires our fulfillment in Himself even more than we do. Therefore, faith is the avenue to the deepest satisfaction and contentment. Faith is the pathway to a truly abundant life.

What would happen if you chose to trade your stranglehold of controlling your life for the gracious gift of faith from God? Could you imagine your life being led totally by the loving hand of God? If this proposition seems frightening, you are not alone. I struggle with the fear of utterly trusting God with all of me. But I am learning that whatever parts of me I withhold are the very parts that remain empty and lifeless. It is only when I surrender to God's invitation to live a life simply by faith that I experience the fullness of life as He created it to be. In fact, when I surrender to faith I feel the very wind of God's grace fill my sails and set me on a course to freedom, peace, and unspeakable joy.

What is preventing you today from embracing faith and enjoying the goodness of the God who loves you? Whatever it is, it isn't worth keeping. Ask God to help you release it and gratefully accept His wonderful gift of faith.

Growing in faith,

jonathan