I've been thinking...and one of the things that has really stuck in my mind lately is how many things we try to substitute for God. It's really idol making -- while pledging allegiance to Jesus, we look for all kinds of things that will somehow prop up our faith and placate our flesh. We sometimes turn to feelings, experiences or manifestations that ever so subtly supplant simple faith and trust in God. Have you thought lately about the level of your faith in Christ? Is is a faith that must be backed up and held in place by some tangible evidence that God is really real? If so, then trust has been replaced by a kind of pseudo faith -- the kind of faith that requires evidence -- which is, frankly, no faith at all.
Abraham, the father of all who believe (Ro. 4) chose to believe God in spite of a lack of evidence. He didn't see any signs or feel any goose bumps while he and his only son, Isaac, made the death march up Mt. Moriah. He made the climb on the strength of faith alone -- believing that even though he couldn't see any way out of his dilemma, God was faithful who promised to make a great nation from his seed. So he trudged ahead.
I'm thinking Isaiah knew something about walking, too. I love the powerful words he penned in Isaiah 40:31, "They will soar on wings like eagles, they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint." The truth is simple...every Christ follower knows there is a lot less soaring on eagles wings and a lot more walking without fainting than we care to admit. Why is that true? Because the life for Christ is a life of faith -- where you don't always get to see it before you're asked to believe it. It's a life that requires us to take up our cross and pull up our stakes long before we ever get a road map to where we're headed!
I love to see the power of God on display -- I desire signs, wonders and miracles, but my faith? I choose to anchor it In Christ Alone! I hope you do too.
Though you have not seen him, you love him; and even though you do not see him now, you believe in him and are filled with an inexpressible and glorious joy. 1 Peter 1:8 (NIV)
Keep believing -- in Jesus, that is!
Tom Lowe
