“Have you ever had the sense that God wanted you to do something or to go somewhere,” I said to Stan one morning, “and you had no idea why?”
“You might as well ask me if I’ve ever taken a breath,” Stan replied with a smile.
“So that’s a ‘yes’?”
“It is,” Stan said, “and it seems to me that when God does that, and I respond in obedience even though I’m not sure what I’m obeying, that’s the heart of faith.”
“Heart of faith,” I repeated. “Isn’t the whole idea of faith a really big subject?”
“It is,” Stan replied,”and it isn’t.”
“How can it be both?”
“In the first place,” Stan said, “it seems to me that the subject of faith is actually quite small and kind of simple; either you have it or you don’t. But, on the other hand, a lot of people spend a lot of time thinking and talking about what does and what does not constitute faith. For them it’s a really big subject.”
“For me,” he continued, “I like simple, not unlike the man who started out being named Abram, and ended up being called Abraham.”
“How so?” I asked.
“God called him out from where he was to go elsewhere, do something different, and Abram obeyed. He didn’t argue with God about it, as I know some people would, but he simply obeyed.”
“He stepped out in faith?”
“That’s right,” Stan replied. “He took one step in obedience and kept on walking in a fabulous and famous faith walk that is an example to all who want to have their own faith walk in obedience to God.”
“Obey God and step out in faith when He says something,” I commented. “Is that it?”
“That’s it, my friend,” Stan replied. “It’s called a ‘faith walk’ for a very good reason!”
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Bible verses to consider:
So Abram went forth as the Lord had spoken to him. Genesis 12:4
By faith Abraham, when he was called, obeyed by going out to a place which he was to receive for an inheritance; and he went out, not knowing where he was going. Hebrews 11:8.
No longer shall your name be called Abram, but your name shall be Abraham; for I will make you the father of a multitude of nations. Genesis 17:5.
For we walk by faith, not by sight. 2 Corinthians 5:7.
Prayer: Thank you, Father, that you have places for me to go and things for me to do for you and for your purposes. Thank you for telling and showing me what it is you want me to do. I confess that too often I do not respond in obedience to your word and your voice. As you know all too well, that is what I do because I want to do what I want to do apart from you. Please forgive me. And please, Father, help me to faithfully follow every step of your lead so I am always where and doing what you intend. Thank you I can and do bring these prayers before you in the name of Jesus. Amen.
Think on this: Have you come to faith and know you will spend eternity in God’s presence when your time here is completed? If no, why? If you do have the assurance of salvation and redemption, how are you doing in your faith walk on this side of eternity? Are you faithfully following every step of God’s lead so you are where He wants, doing what He wants? If you sense the need for change in your faithfulness, how is that going to happen? Is that what you want? Why or why not?
Waiting for the Train 