WALKING BY FAITH.

Walking by faith…

A couple months ago I remember thinking, “wow I really am on cloud nine”. All my dreams seemed to be coming true and for the first time I felt I was at a place where I genuinely couldn’t ask for anything more. If there is anything I have learned in life though, it is that things can change so quickly. Whether it is moving to a new place, starting a new job, a growing family, friendships changing, relationships ending, or people passing away…change is a guarantee.  As I’ve gone through changes throughout my life I’ve seen more and more clearly that God is sovereign, and I am not in control. As I went through a change recently I realized, maybe for the first time truly, what it means to walk by faith. It’s easy to believe God’s word, trust Him, and praise Him when things are going the way we would like them to, but what about when it isn’t? What about when things don’t make sense to us? Do we still walk by faith and trust the Lord, or do we start to doubt his goodness, faithfulness, and sovereignty?

To walk by faith is to live out your faith. To live in a way that reflects what you say you believe is true. I believe that all scripture is God breathed (2 Timothy 3:16). I believe that He is faithful (1 Corinthians 1:9). I believe that God is sovereign (Psalm 73:28). I believe that God has a plan for my life (Jeremiah 29:11). And I believe that even when I may not understand His ways, I can trust in Him (Proverbs 3:5-6).

My friend and mentor told me during a tough time that we are so near sighted. We can only see what is right in front of us, but thank God that he is far sighted. He sees what is coming next and we don’t. I’m learning so much to trust God with each step I take, and to lean into Him in all circumstances.

We look at our lives and wonder why things happen. Then I look at the bible and see so clearly that the stories God has chosen to preserve aren’t stories of people’s lives being easy and things always going their way, at least the way the world would see it, but they are stories of people being faithful against all odds. Think of Noah, he built an ark when no one had seen rain. Job, he lost his family, health, and wealth. The author of most of the New Testament, Paul, he was in prison. There are so many more. One of my favorite stories in the bible though is one of a woman that is only mentioned in a couple lines: Matthew 9:20-22

“Just then a woman who had been subject to bleeding for twelve years came up behind him and touched the edge of his cloak. She said to herself, “If I only touch his cloak, I will be healed.”

 Jesus turned and saw her. “Take heart, daughter,” he said, “your faith has healed you.” And the woman was healed from that moment.”

I love this story. Read it again. She was bleeding for twelve years! Can you imagine? Even though that had to be terrible, she doesn’t appear to be angry with God in this moment, rather she believed in Jesus Christ and believed he could heal her. I love this first because she doesn’t say this loudly to where she was trying to get Jesus to hear her. Different translations actually say she just thought these words. The woman genuinely had faith in Jesus as her Savior. Second, because he, in his response to her, he calls her daughter. This shows how greatly and intimately Christ cares for us. Lastly, because we are healed and get through all things through our faith, and our faith alone.

God calls us to walk by faith and not by sight. How are you doing? Do you trust him?