Courage For Today

understand

Learning to Navigate Your Faith

Faith

“For we walk by faith, not by sight…” (2 Corinthians 5:7)

In our modern world, I’ve learn to become dependent on the GPS in our car.  I remember the days of traveling to some unknown place and trying to follow paper maps or relying on memory to guide us down the right path.  Now, it’s a simple matter of typing in your destination’s address and the GPS does the rest.  With the GPS, I can travel down roads with total confidence and faith and know that I will eventually get to my destination.  There is no hesitation and no fear.  Just type and go.

As Christians, how do we learn to live by faith during those times in life when we just don’t understand?  As ridiculous as it may sound, it really boils down to having as much confidence in Christ as we do our GPS.  Having that unshakable faith requires us to:  Believe when you just can’t see; Obey when you just don’t understand; Persist when you just don’t feel like it; Trust when you just don’t get it; and Be content for what you receive, even if it’s what you don’t want.

Where is your Faith today?

Courage Thoughts for Today:

  1. When was the last time you really trusted God in your life?
  2. Think back on a time when you received something in Life that wasn’t what you wanted at the time, but ended up being what was best for you.
  3. Thank God for what you have.  It may not be exactly what you want, but realize that as long as your feet touch the floor in the morning, you are truly blessed.

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We are Truly Unworthy to be Worthy

Self-Worth

I am always amazed how God has worked in my life.  By amazing, I don’t mean that everything in my life has always been good by the World’s standards.  If my life became a novel, there would be many Chapters that would be quite scary, alarming, tragic and even heart-breaking at times.  Of course, there would be plenty of exciting and positive Chapters throughout this hypothetical novel, but my point is that everything has not always been a bed of roses.

What has been consistent throughout my life has been my relationship with God.  I hesitate to use that sentence because it is often an over-used cliche, but in my case it is so true.  To understand what I mean, you’ll have to walk with me on a trip down memory lane.

I grew up in a wonderfully stable, middle class home.  I had hard-working, loving parents that loved me and my two brothers and did everything within their power to make our home the best it could be.  They succeeded, by the way, and were the model of strength and character.  I was very fortunate to have such great role models for all the years I lived at home.  Despite the wonderful upbringing, I was always searching for “something.”  Especially during my early teenage years, I began to feel lonely, isolated, and even depressed at times.  It seemed that I was on a treadmill searching for “something” that I could never find.  Then, one day as a teenager, I found what I was searching for in Christ.  Since that day, over 40 years ago, my life has never been the same–for the better.

Looking back at those days before I found Christ, I realized that I was searching to fill the void in my life because I didn’t fill worthy of anything good.  I looked at myself at that time and saw someone that was short; someone that was average looking; someone that was self-conscious; someone that was extremely shy; and someone that had only 2 or 3 friends. I wasn’t particularly good at anything and always felt ashamed of myself.  I was searching for “something” that would change all of that and, quite frankly, I became tired of searching.  Fortunately, I found that “something” in Christ before it was too late.  No, I didn’t miraculously grow taller, become better looking and outgoing,  have dozens of new friends, or develop great skills in everything I did.  But, I did finally understand that none of this mattered to God.  He didn’t care about my outward appearances or abilities, or my accomplishments or failures.  God cared about my heart.  Even though I had felt unworthy for so many years, I was always 100 percent worthy in God’s eyes—I just didn’t realize it.

I cross paths every day with people that feel as I did all those 40+ years ago.  They might feel unworthy for some of the same reasons or different reasons, but they feel unworthy nonetheless.  It is a terrible feeling.  I know; I’ve experienced it.  There is this seemingly never ending feeling that we have to change something or do something to make ourselves better to be acceptable to God.  We don’t.

When I finally accepted Christ, it taught me that there is nothing I can do to make God accept me anymore than He already does and, just as importantly, there is nothing I can do make God love me any less.  It doesn’t matter to God where you’ve been or where you are.

If you’ve been struggling with those feelings of hopelessness and unworthiness, it’s time to change.  It’s time to realize that you are Worthy just as you are. I promise it will be the best decision you’ll ever make.

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It’s Always About the Encounter

Encouragement

One of my grandsons’ favorite activities is swimming.  I don’t think it would matter if they were swimming in a pool; in a lake; in a stream; or even splashing in a puddle of water.  If they can get wet, they will do it.  When they come visit us at our pool, it’s all out fun and excitement.  They can’t wait to slip on their swim trunks and head off to the pool.

I don’t know about you, but when I actually do get into the water during one of those rare times, it’s slow and easy into the water for me.  It’s just too cold usually.  First, it’s my feet and ankles.  Then up to my knees, and slowly inching my way up until I can go under the water.  I’m not one of those people that immediately jumps in the water.  My grandsons, on the other hand, are jumpers.  As soon as they hit the pool deck, it’s off they go.  Straight into the water.  No shock for them.  They don’t wait for to see if the water is warm enough.  They don’t wait for us to give them detailed swimming instructions.  They don’t wait to see who might be looking at them or observing what they do.  They don’t wait to see if they have all their swimming gear in tact.  They just jump.  And they jump some more.  For them, it’s not about getting all the answers and insight about swimming.  It’s about enjoying the water.

It reminds me so much of a conversation I had with an acquaintance many, many years ago.  This person was struggling with Christianity in general and the Bible, specifically.  He spoke about how the Bible was confusing to him and that he had too many questions that couldn’t be answered.  He cited several examples and I could tell that he really, really wanted to be a believer in Christ, but just couldn’t make himself take that leap of faith until he found all the answers to his questions.  To his surprise, I agreed with him that Christianity and the Bible had many unanswered questions, even in my own mind.  There were many things I didn’t fully understand and wouldn’t ever know the answers to until I reached Heaven one day.  He seemed a little perplexed and confused that I would embrace God, as I do, with so many confusing issues swirling in my head.

I spent the next several minutes explaining that my relationship with Christ was not about answers.  it was about an encounter.  It was about an encounter with an almighty God that changes live.  I explained how God had truly worked in my life and changed me.  How God had worked miracles in my own life and my family’s.  And, I shared how my relationship with Christ was personal and intimate.  I may not understand all HE does and why HE does things, but there was no question that I had the encounter and relationship that forever changed my life.

I went on and shared that I didn’t wait around to see if Christianity was the next “big” thing or popular with others.  I didn’t wait around to see what others were doing with “their” Christianity.  I didn’t’ wait around to get the next greatest Bible translation so I could understand things better.  I just jumped in the water.  I didn’t care about all those other things.  I just wanted Christ and what he brought to my life and I haven’t had one regret.

I’m not quite sure why the Lord brought this particular message to me on this particular day, but I’ve got to believe it’s because someone reading this passage is struggling with this same issue.  If you are, don’t wait for all the answers, because you’ll never find them.  Instead, embrace the encounter and the new relationship that awaits you when you accept Christ.  I promise that you won’t regret your decision.

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We Are All Blessed By The Blessor

Encouragement

I was re-reading the account in Matthew Chapter 14 of Jesus walking on the water and His encounter with the Disciples.  If you haven’t read this passage recently, or at all, I would encourage you to check it out beginning with verse 21 through the end of the Chapter.  I suppose I’ve read this passage dozens of time, but this time the passage spoke to me in a way that I hadn’t experienced before.

I don’t know about you, but for me, it’s sometimes extremely difficult to live by Faith.  I understand that God is in control and I understand that I must follow His direction and guidance, but it sure is difficult at times, especially when things are not going the way I think they should.  I think that’s why this passage meant so much to me at this time.  The passage reminded me of the importance of living by faith, even when it’s difficult and even when it doesn’t make sense.  Afterall, it wouldn’t be faith if everything was easy.

I was reminded that our Faith comes by hearing and reading the Word of God.  This doesn’t mean that I won’t be scared to act or nervous about what is down the road.  It’s OK to be scared, just as the disciples were.  Walking by Faith can’t be ruled by emotions.  I’ve learned that living by Faith doesn’t necessarily get me the blessings I think I may deserve at the time, but it always gets me to the Blessor.  Let me repeat that.  Living by Faith may not get me the blessings I think I deserve, but it brings me closer to the Blessor and that’s the position I want to be in.

Where are you in your current Walk of Faith?  Are you like the disciples and scared and doubting?  If so, you’re not alone.  Lean on the Blessor and you’ll endure the storm.

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