Step 1 Kind of Faith

What does it mean to be called by God?  If you are a child of God you have encountered God and you have probably experienced times where you felt Him drawing you to do something.  When God calls we don’t often know why or what to expect beyond Step 1.  Our only responsibility is to obey Step 1.  I believe this principal is a lot easier for us to hear than it is for us to apply.  

For Example, when God called Moses:
     *He was filled with questions, doubts, fears, insecurities, etc. 
     *He had no idea what was about to happen – how his life was about to change, or even if  
        he was about to lose his life.  It’s a pretty bold thing to do, to go before Pharaoh and tell
        him he needs to release his slaves.
     *All he knew was to “Go, do as I have commanded and I will take care of the rest.”

What about the Apostle Paul:
     *When God called, He didn’t know that chains would await him.
     *Beatings, shipwrecks, stonings.
     *He didn’t know he would be imprisoned by the same people he had at one time
        considered close friends and even family.
     *He didn’t know that his writings, his teachings, his testimony would teach faith, witness,
        minister and bring people the gospel for as long as the world continues to turn on its
        axis. 
     *Do you think his trials were worth it?  Do you think his keeping the faith was worth it?

What about David:
     *Do you think David’s long story matched up with what he envisioned to be a path to
       becoming king? I somehow doubt that.
            o   It was important for David to follow God closely every day.
            o   David wasn’t thinking, “Ok, these actions are going to get me the crown God
                 promised.” No, I believe there were a lot of days he even forgot about it, he was too
                 busy trying to stay alive!
           o   Yet in everything he did he tried to honor God - everything, every moment,
                 every single seemingly insignificant, exhausting moment.  Every moment he was
                 filled with fear, running for his life, isolated, left alone with his own thoughts and
                 insecurities - he sought the Lord!

I want that kind of faith!  I want the faith that is followed by immediate bold obedience. 

I struggle to have a “Step 1” kind of faith.  I know this principal has caused me to stumble more times than I would like to admit.  When I feel God leading me in a direction, I struggle, daydreaming about all that might come next.  I struggle to daydream about the big things that the call could become. I struggle to daydream about my insecurities and fears. I worry over the things that could become an obstacle to whatever God wanted to do through me.  I struggle to daydream about the opposition I might face…  Do you see why this is a problem?  It can either immobilize you or it will put you on a path to fulfill your vision and not God’s.

When God calls it is of utmost importance for us to learn to say, “Yes Lord, I trust YOU more than I trust me.”  Sometimes we will be blessed to understand why. Other times we may never know why.  However, every time, our only responsibility is to plug away, remain faithful and focused on the Lord and await Step 2.

“Be still, and know that I am God;I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth." -Psalms 46:10

I am linking a story here that relates to the kind of crazy, bold Faith I am praying for each of you and for myself to have.  Beth Moore and the Hairbrush

About Melissa

Melissa Bradley is married with two small children.  She serves at a church plant in Hendersonville, NC. The passion of her heart is to live every day Missionally. You can also find Melissa at Beautiful Mommy Feet, she and her husbands Personal Ministry Page, a Women’s ministry page -Radiance and on Facebook.

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