Faith and Risk
FAITH AND RISK
faith
fāTH/
noun: faith
complete trust or confidence in someone or something."
synonyms:
trust, belief, confidence, conviction; optimism, hopefulness, hope
“Now faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see.” Hebrews 11:1 NIV
Faith-It’s a very popular word. Christians use it all the time and it means different things to different people. Usually we measure people by how much or how little faith they have or by what we see in their life. We’ve learned that “without faith it is impossible to please God” and “you only need the faith of a mustard seed”. It's a big mystery! How much faith do you need to see your breakthrough? What is it to truly live by faith?
Honestly, up until a little while ago, I would probably roll my eyes at how often we throw the word FAITH around. It’s on wall decorations, t-shirts, jewelry and bumper stickers. As a result we are VERY familiar with that word. I often wonder do we even know what that means?
Recently, when I see the word “Faith” my heart is stirred in a different way. A few weeks ago I began to dialogue with the Lord in regard to some of my unfulfilled dreams and desires. These were things that I have been holding on to and working toward, but I have not seen the fullness of the promise. I felt the Lord inviting me to a deeper understanding of trust, risk, and a new place to surrender to Him so that he can move.
The last few years have been a deep lesson in faith, but the beauty of the Lord is that there is always more to learn. We never arrive. Therefore our “mustard seed” of faith is just the simple “Yes” to Him in a way that is childlike.
It’s also more about what I'm learning about Him and through Him rather than Him just giving me my desires, although I do believe He loves to give good gifts to His children. Perhaps some of our dreams and desires carry more on the eternal side. Maybe there is more happening than what I see.
In my encounter, He reminded me about Mathew 14, when Peter saw Jesus walking on water and asked if it was truly Jesus that He would call him to come out onto the water. Peter had relationship with Jesus but there was an encounter and experience with Jesus he could never have in the boat. He had to step out and do something crazy that no one else had even done before. We know he quickly began to look at the waves and sink before Jesus quickly scooped Him up. I believe that was just the beginning of something huge happening in Peter’s heart.
It’s a Divine exchange.
To me, the best way I can describe my definition of faith is in the sacrifice and surrender in worship. Many times we don't know what our answer will be, but we worship and believe in the midst of waiting. Just like the woman with the issue of blood, pressing through the crowd to get to Jesus, she moved in until she touched Him. When you lay the thing that means the most to you on the altar out of obedience, it is similar to what Abraham did with Isaac. It’s also in that moment you step out the boat and place your feet on the waves. That risk is the place where Heaven can invade earth. I believe it deeply moves the heart of God. Just imagine what can happen when you step toward a good God!
In Mathew 16:13-19 we begin to see that promise of faith unfold. This is where faith and revelation meet, and from that place Jesus gives the keys to the kingdom.
“ Now when Jesus came into the district of Caesarea Philippi, he asked his disciples, “Who do people say that the Son of Man is?” And they said, “Some say John the Baptist, others say Elijah, and others Jeremiah or one of the prophets. He said to them, “But who do you say that I am?” Simon Peter replied, You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.” And Jesus answered him, Blessed are you, fSimon Bar-Jonah! For flesh and blood has not revealed this to you, but my Father who is in heaven. 1And I tell you, you are Peter, and on this rock2 I will build my church, and the gates of hell3 shall not prevail against it. I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven, and whatever you bind on earth shall be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth shall be loosed4 in heaven.”
No matter where you are, there is always the invitation to step into the new place, the unknown, and to know Him in more of His fullness.
Faith is risking the unknown, risking not even receiving the thing you are going after. It’s in the surrender and placing your life in the reality that God is good. It’s standing still in the midst of a battle knowing Jesus has already won the war. I believe it’s digging your heals in and standing for what you know to be true even though it hasn't materialized. It’s that in-between space where I believe a miracle happens.
