So it’s been a while since I’ve posted anything and so much has happened in our lives…but I’ll get to that in another post. For now we are preparing to move. Yes, in a couple days the place we’ve called home for over 30 years will be in the rear view mirror of a Penske truck as we chart a course for Grand Rapids! This is one of many tests of faith in the past couple years. But we have seen the faithfulness of God in the midst of all our trials, leading us to this point. Though we are frightened along with so many other emotions, we cling to our Father in heaven Who is the same no matter where we are on this spinning ball in the middle of space 🙂
So often we are tempted to focus on the waves that surround us…all the tangible whirlwinds that encompass us each and every day. Remind you of an account in the Bible? It does me! Peter so desperately wanted to follow his Lord wherever He went. To do what He did. To live as a faithful servant of the King of kings and Lord of lords. I can relate, can’t you? I want to be this big and brave warrior for Christ, to be a forerunner in the race of life…and yet…before I know it, life swarms about.
At first it is just a little pesky thing here and there, like a fly that won’t leave you alone. Next thing you know, you are so busy swatting at all the little pests that your focus has completely taken a detour! Peter saw his Lord walking on the water and so desperately wanted to join Him. Things were going great…at first…and then…the storm…the waves…crashing…beating…blowing. Trying to swallow him up…and so he began to sink. As he sunk, he cried out as we often do. We cry out, in desperation we cry out. As though our trial is not known to our precious Savior. As Jesus so patiently stretched out His hand for Peter. So He does with us. Trying something new, taking that leap of faith, knowing that He has said He’ll never leave us, yet still shaking in our boots with every step.
I’m not claiming to have this down, by ANY means. It’s easy to recite what is known in your mind…claiming it with your heart, or better yet, living it out, can be another story all together! So what do we do? When we are shaking in our boots as we step out in faith, only by prayer and by constantly reciting His faithfulness in our lives will we be able to overcome the lies that swarm us. The lies that there is something to fear, the lies that He is calling us to step out in faith only to sabotage us and abandon us with no hope! These lies are spun by the prince of darkness himself and not to be given the time of day (or night for that matter).
Have you found yourself in such a place? A place that questions the very presence of God or His provision? My precious, if you are a child of God, claiming Him as the Master of your life, then no matter the circumstance, He IS there! He was there before you even came to the situation you find yourself in! And He is already where you will come out, stronger, steadfast, and firmer in your faith. As I give thanks for this bought of growing pains in my own life, I remember His faithfulness in all our family has been through. I learn much from the life of Peter as he so desired to be a mighty servant of the Savior. Though he may have failed at many turns, as we so often do as well, he grew stronger at each corner, becoming exactly what he sought out to become. A mighty servant. By great riches? Popularity? Unrivaled intelligence? No…by stepping out in faith…shaking in his boots (or sandals) at time? I’m sure. But still taking things one step at a time and trusting his faithful Lord all the while.
May we all do the same…
Therefore, since we have so great a cloud of witnesses surrounding us, let us also lay aside every encumbrance and the sin which so easily entangles us, and let us run withendurance the race that is set before us, 2 [a]fixing our eyes on Jesus, the [b] author and perfecter of faith, who for the joy set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. 3 For consider Him who has endured such hostility by sinners against Himself, so that you will not grow weary [c] and lose heart.(Hebrews 12:1-3)