Today I am participating in the blog carnival on “trust” that Bridget Chumbley is hosting. I am very excited to be a part of this blog carnival. Go and check out what others have written by clicking here. Now on to the subject at hand …
To me, faith and trust are synonymous. They go hand and hand. You can’t have one without the other. Over the last several weeks I have been reading Francis Chan’s book “Crazy Love” (Recently I wrote a post about one of the chapters that really challenged me here). I love the definition of faith that Chan gives in chapter seven. He says these challenging words: “Having faith often means doing what others see as crazy. Something is wrong when our lives make sense to unbelievers” (pg. 115). This is the example that we find in the bible. We see this demonstrated in the life of Abraham, Noah, the prophets, the disciples, the Early Church and many many other followers of Christ.
Sadly, as I take inventory of my life I realize that I have played it safe way too often. Instead of stepping out in faith I have chosen to hold back and to stay in the boat. The reality is that this is not living the life that God wants me (and you) to live. We are told in Hebrews 11:6 that “without faith it is impossible to please God.” God wants us to trust Him completely with EVERYTHING! Living in complete trust is NOT a comfortable place to live. In fact, it goes against everything that we have been taught. We are taught to live self-sufficient lives and to plan for everything. I love how Francis Chan puts it. He says: “We like finding refuge in what we already have rather than in what we hope God will provide … But God doesn’t call us to be comfortable. He calls us to trust Him so completely that we are unafraid to put ourselves in situations where we will be in trouble if He doesn’t come through” (pg. 123-124).
Here are some challenging questions that we must ask ourselves often: What am I doing right now that requires faith? What am I doing right now that if God doesn’t come through I will be in big trouble?
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Is the term “lukewarm Christian” an oxymoron?
"Having faith often means doing what others see as crazy. Something is wrong when our lives make sense to unbelievers"
Lots of people told me bringing mom home to be cared for was a mistake. I feared it was myself. My husband believed bringing her home fell under the "Honor thy mother and thy father" commandment, and said we'd do whatever it took to care for my mom. You know what? She still can't walk, but is otherwise far healthier and happier than she was in the nursing home. AND, friends and family (and me) now think her being home is the most natural thing in the world…What I am saying is that it started out uncomfortable and scary, and now, after three years, is actually pretty routine.
What am I doing right now that if God doesn't come through I will be in big trouble?
Raising my children. I tremble with fear when I think of all that they might suffer if I fail to adequately teach faith in God.
But even faith is God's gift to them (Eph 2:8). The only solution is to place my children fully in His hands, remembering that He loves them even more than I do, has put them in a home where they'd be taught of Him, and controls everything I do not. I am only a steward of these precious treasures He's entrusted to me. May I prove a trustworthy one!
I am being stretched in several directions, and am trying hard to let faith and trust to see me through.
I do believe that "God will come through!"
Thanks for this post, Kevin.
Came here via the carnival – Great post!
Love the picture – that will be the visual image in my mind for trust now
Amen Helen! God is definitely faithful and trustworthy!
Amen Anne! I wholeheartedly agree with you. I must put my complete trust in God too as I seek to raise my children to His glory.
Thanks for sharing Bridget!
Good point Russell! I can totally relate to what you are saying.
Thanks for stopping by and commenting Janet!
Stopping in from the carnival …I'm in the middle of Crazy Love as well…it is certainly thought provoking. The chapter on being lukewarm particularly struck a chord with me. Enjoyed reading your thoughts today.
Thanks for stopping by Joyce! Crazy Love has truly been a challenging read for me. I have thoroughly enjoyed it!
Firat of all, great post. Love Francis Chan. What am I doing that requires trusting God? Ever planted a church with no outside funding? God has shown up in a big way. Not so much in the growth of the church from a worldly perspective – even though we are pleased with our growth so far. But more in how he has changed us from the inside out.
Thanks Katdish! WOW! You are on the front lines of trusting God! That is putting your money where your mouth is! May God continue to show up in big ways for you and your new church plant!
I have been reading through these in order but not commenting so much. I love Crazy Love. I read the book through in a couple hours and then again over a week and then again over several weeks as a study group I was leading.
Faith is action.
That is what I talked about last Sunday and really what I've been talking about for the past year. If we say we believe and then do nothing, what is it we actually believe?
So often I follow the formula: I'll try it first, if it does not work I'll ask God. Something in your post reminded me of the importance of going to God right away. For one thing it is a huge time saver…
"If we say we believe and then do nothing, what is it we actually believe?" Amen Nick! Sadly, many Christians through their actions (or lack of them) reflect that they are no different than an atheist – they are never putting their faith in action, they are never living out what they believe, etc. This is truly very sad!
Thanks for stopping by and sharing!
Are you seriously sitting at my kitchen table with me right now….Sometimes I feel like you must know me! LOVE this post…One of my favorites!
I am glad that it resonated with you Brandy!
Even though I wrote this post 2 years ago these are still questions that I continually ask myself.
Thanks for sharing!
This’ll sound a little weird, but here’s what I’m doing that requires faith: I’m doubting God’s existence. What I have faith in is God’s goodness and omniscience, not His existence. My reasons for doubting are many, and it’s not important to get into them; most people are probably a little familiar with them, at least. But they are sincere, and I feel compelled by a regard for truth and honesty to admit that hey, God just might not exist at all. Yet I’ve been told again and again that eternal damnation awaits me if I do not believe. If God exists, and he’s a vicious spiteful tyrant, well, I’m doomed. But I have great faith that IF God exists, he’s not like that, even though I have no evidence whatsoever to support this faith (which is why it’s faith). Indeed, when I look at the suffering in the world, the evidence seems to suggest that any God that exists is at best unspeakably callous. Yet I refuse to accept that conclusion, because in order to live in good faith with regard for honesty and the demands of conscience, I simply must act as if God is just and loving, whether I actually believe such a god exists or not.