Frequently, my posts are inspired by scripture, prayer time or an early morning encounter with God. However this time, I was inspired by a conversation I had during one of my Life Discipleship ministry sessions. Here, this beautiful, faith-filled, God-fearing woman is being stretched in faith while learning how to be a wife that sanctifies her husband according to (1Corin. 7:14). Her husband is experiencing “Male Mid-life Crisis” (on the surface) although it is apparent it has been triggered by a slow drift from his relationship with God over a period of years. This is something that can happen to any of us if we are not continually mindful of the true meaning of our lives as a people of God.
In my conversation with this fragile yet courageous loving wife, we discovered once again how our life struggles have an uncanny way in letting us know the ways in which our walk of faith is not as solid as we believed. It is in times like these that the refreshing of our faith sheds light on the deeper revelations of God’s word. In our case, the biblical definition of FAITH took on a whole new meaning…
“Faith is the substance of things hoped for and the evidence of things not seen” (Heb. 11:1)
Many of us are familiar with this passage of scripture and find it fairly easy to apply when we are trying to achieve things in life on a practical level like finishing school, buying a house, purchasing your ideal car, pursuing a new job etc. However, I’d like to challenge you today to consider this passage as it pertains to living out the word of God. I believe too often we perceive the word of God to be more like “guidelines” instead of the rule. Although consider this was not what Jesus meant when he said: “if you LOVE me you will keep my commands.”(John 14:15)
So the question becomes, how do we live out such a high standard of living? Is it even possible? I believe the answer lies within the supernatural power of God.
Truth is, we were never meant to live out God’s word in the power of our own strength because it is a “Supernatural Standard.” So if the just shall live by faith (Heb. 10:38), then how will “faith is the substance of things hoped for and the evidence of things not seen,” manifest the supernatural in our lives? How do we apply this supernatural standard to our carnal nature and expect supernatural results in areas such as our character, our temperament, our tongue, our marriage, our relationships, our health, to those in authority, in our roles as parents, as employees and church members, as pastors and leaders, as fellow believers, as mere children of God? These are most certainly areas in life where this beloved scripture would serve us more notably and in supernatural ways.
Wow! So in essence, FAITH applied in this way would be to “believe in something (a godly lifestyle) we cannot see and hope for something (a godly character) we have not yet achieved.” Wouldn’t you agree this is not an easy thing to do? That’s because FAITH was not intended to be easy!
I would suggest than, that a REAL walk of faith might look more like a constant (painful) shifting in “Moving forward and Backwards.” Faith requires courage. Faith is activated by LOVE. The evidence of our love is TRUST, trust in God, which empowers us to love others under the guidance and protection of His word. This is how we are able to stand confident through any situation. This is how we are able to keep God’s commands.
The reality here is that the walk of FAITH is a PROCESS! It is perfected with TIME. You see, God sets the goal and our standard for living out His word. It is through a greater trust in God’s truth (than in our own) that we are supernaturally stretched and transformed into the likeness of Christ and only THEN, are we able to live out a “God kind of faith” from which we are able to truly see God, know Him, hear Him and live in the blessed reality of His Kingdom. Faith calls us out to love God more than the things we think we need both physically and emotionally, to believe in His truth above our circumstances and to trust in the wisdom of His word more than the wisdom of our thoughts, fears, and doubts.
What does this mean? It means, when we are earnestly walking by faith, we can be vulnerable with God’s word because “THERE IS NO FAILURE WITH GOD.” Now that’s something to shout about! This is why “all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose.” (Rom. 8:28) God’s word was meant to be tried and tested as it becomes an opportunity for God to show Himself faithful and true in you, and through you.
You see God knew our human (sin-prone) nature could NEVER acquire the supernatural faith He was calling us into. Therefore, full “trust in God,” through His word, is what will empower us to live supernatural lives and that is, to walk in a faith that pleases God.
“Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not to your own understanding in all your ways acknowledge Him and He will direct your path”(Prov. 3:5-6)
So the next time you feel like you’ve let God down and feel ashamed or guilty for not living up to His standard, simply brush yourself off and tell God what was hard about these steps of faith. Meditate upon how you blew it, why it was hard to trust Him, what you learned about yourself, others, and most importantly God’s love, mercy, and grace. Often times greater awareness will be all you need to refresh your faith in order to take the steps you couldn’t take before. In any case, while you rest in the quietness of truth and reconciliation, know that fresh seeds of faith are being replanted in you and you will find that your walk of faith will become more and more honest, intentional, attainable and supernaturally empowered because God’s word is now ALIVE in your HEART and not just in your head.
Karen Gaithers-Life Discipleship 