One new day at a time

Have you ever wondered about the Bible? Have you finished reading a story and found yourself wondering if the God you worship is the same as the God who parted the Red Sea? Does He really heal lepers? Does He really forgive sins? Just what does God have in mind for His church, His Body?

I have considered these questions before. "Does God still do miracles?" That's a very important question to answer for yourself, because it's a matter of trust between you and your God. Consider verses like the following:

"And he did not do many miracles there because of their lack of faith." (Matt 13:58)

Is faith only related to miracles? Of course not. Faith is the extent to which you are willing to admit that you don't see the whole picture, and then you submit to the One who does. Faith is not about miracles--it's about submission. It's about letting go of those precious securities that we cling to at the core of our being. Sure, I trust God and I love Him and want to follow Him, but I really need to be around people that know me. I really need to have some personal space, where I can be alone when I need to. I really need to be around my family once in a while. These are my securities, the things I never think might rival my humble submission to all of God's plan for me. What if God asked me to give those up? Oh, then we'd have an argument on our hands.

"God, you don't understand how important that is to me."
"God, do you know what you're asking of me?"
"Come on, Lord, you seriously want me to trust you and nothing else? You're crazy! People just don't work that way!"

It seems to me that faith at the core is not when I muster enough courage to step off a cliff. Instead, faith is when I let go of the things I really can't live without, finding that I land in the hands of the One I truly need. How does one go about this? What will the faith-ful life look like? For some, it might mean giving up precious time with friends to be alone with God once in a while. For another, it could mean abandoning your social comfort to share openly what God is doing in your life. For others, it might be giving the Holy Spirit a chance to really be part of your understanding of God, and admitting that He (not it) wants to be the Life of the Church, the breath in the Body of Christ.

Miracles?
Vulnerability with friends?
Forgiving a deep injury?
Being quiet?
Speaking in tongues?
Sharing Christ?

If you feel the Holy Spirit nudging you, or pricking you, or you somehow sense that God is asking you to do something, and it feels WAY out of your comfort zone, here's my challenge to you:

Take a minute to wonder why you don't want to do it. Is my comfort really more important to me than my God?

Remember who your God is. Memorize some short verses that talk about Him. He's ruler of all things, He loves you deeply, and He's working for your ultimate good.

Are you willing to trust Him? Even with this way uncomfortable circumstance? If you're not sure, try praying this phrase a few times: "Not my will, but yours be done." Try to mean it. Then take the risk. Obey, and see what God will do.

The kingdom of heaven is like treasure hidden in a field. When a man found it, he hid it again, and then in his joy went and sold all he had and bought that field. Matthew 13:44