“Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see.” (Heb 11:1)
Lately, my husband and I have had a lot on our plate. There are many decisions to make and as usual, each decision is dependent on the outcome of another decision. However, at the core of all decisions is a dependency on a source totally out of our control. As we precede forward believing that “what we hope for” will unfold, we wrestle with how far do we walk in this direction without an answer? Is it “not trusting in God” to explore every alternative to unfolding the situation in our favor? How many “safety nets” can we put in place and still be walking by faith?
This is a real and re-occurring issue in our lives. Balancing between “faith” and “taking action”; mostly because I am a “where there is a will, there is a way” kind of girl! I have always believed that there is nothing you can’t do if you put your mind to it. But where does that leave room for faith?
Let me tell you, I believe in the God I serve. I have seen His hand move and bring me out of situations that many others have been swallowed by. I have watched my life grow in many ways by depending on the wisdom His Word gives me. However, I do not believe He is a God who wants to control me or watch me be paralyzed by life. He did not raise a child who lives as if she can just sit back and let her Dad take care of her; then, when things go wrong, blaming Him for my lack and disappointments. On the contrary, James 2:17 says, “In the same way, faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead.” That tells me, taking action and believing that I have been given what it takes to receive my heart’s desire…is Faith – Faith in His Love and Equipping of me. And, “without faith it is impossible to please God.”
And if, I have done all that I know to do and the door closes; Faith says, “Thank you Father, for protected me from a mistake and missing out on a better way.” Faith….takes action. And Faith…receives the outcome!