How often have we read or heard stories of old saints that
had a strong unwavering faith – and when they prayed, miraculous things began
to happen? Stories like those of George Mueller, who prayed food and milk in time and time
again for the orphans whom God had entrusted to his care – and throughout his
life cared for, and made a difference in the lives of over 10,000 children…but
only through his great faith and trust in God’s provision; like the great
reformer, John Knox, who wept over Scotland, and it is purported that Mary,
Queen of Scots, that wicked murderous
queen of Scotland said of him, “I fear the prayers of John Knox more than
any of the armies of Europe”; or, the prayers of some little grandma or grandpa
who became burdened over a some situation, and they prayed until things started
to happen.
We look back at these stories, and more often than not, we bemoan
the sad lack of faith in today’s generation, we say, oh, we need more people
like that; we hear of the dying of some old saint, and our heart are saddened
and we think to ourselves, we can’t afford to lose any more of these old saints…or,
I wish we could have a few more with faith like she/he had.
Or, we say halfheartedly – or even somewhat sincerely – Oh,
if I could only be half the man/woman he/she was!
And we go on our merry way, saddened because there’s a
little less faith in the world…that can never be replaced.
Or can it?
What if…
What if WE are supposed to be the ones that have so great
faith – what if God is expecting our generation…or maybe…no, surely not... No,
God couldn’t be expecting me to be that one – that saint whose prayers make all
of Heaven stand up and take notice. Because, I mean…really. That’s preposterous – what would
even make you think such a thing? Me? That’s so silly. I could never have the
faith that they had!
Can’t you? Can’t I?
Or is it that we just don’t want to have to put in the work?
Or maybe we’re too scared – scared of what people will think, scared that maybe
we’ll have the faith and…it won’t happen.
But.
What if…what if He really does expect US to be THOSE people?
What if He expects us to have faith like Peter, when he saw
Jesus coming toward the boat through the storm – faith that will say,” Jesus, I
can’t swim; the waves could pull me under in a second, but I’m not content
being here when you’re over there…I’m tired of sitting here wringing my hands
in despair…I’m jumping out of this boat – I don’t know if you’re gonna teach me
to swim, or let me walk on the water, but either way, even if I go under, I’m
going trusting you.”
Faith that appears to
be outrageous – that can look a medical professional in the eye after he’s just
told you, “We’ve done all we can do – your child will be dead within 24 hours”,
and say – not out of arrogance or denial, but with complete conviction because
you’ve been in touch with the Great Physician, the Creator – “No, he won’t. Go
back in the room, and check again – he’s sleeping, and the wound will heal.”
Faith like Job’s – even
if the outcome isn’t what we prayed for, faith that will trust that God knows
best, that can look the circumstances in the face and say, “Though He slay me,
yet will I trust in Him”, and, “I know that my Redeemer lives”.
Faith that can say with confidence, “It’s going to happen”.
Perhaps in that hard thing you’re going through right now,
God is whispering, “Now is the time. Let go and trust me to take care of it.”
Perhaps, if you’ll just let go and trust God to catch you…maybe,
just maybe, He will?
You see, you can’t swim as long as you’re hanging on to the
side. You may know all the principles of swimming, but it’s not until you let
go and trust that buoyancy will take over that you will begin to glide through
the water.
A baby bird can never fly as long as they stay in the safety
of the nest. Sometimes it take the mama bird pushing them over the side before
they ever get out. Sometimes they fall to the ground…but it’s not until they
leave that their God-given instinct takes over and they begin to flap their
wings- and eventually to fly.
You’ll never soar until you get out of the nest.
Perhaps this is your time.
My time.
Time to let go, jump out, and let the thing that threatened
to kill you be the thing God uses to give you victory.
Time to develop your own faith – instead of leaning on the
faith of someone else.
Maybe it’s time to stop being content with being “half the
man he was”, and start asking, like Elisha, “Give me a double portion of what
he had”.
It’s time.
Outrageous Faith. That’s what we need.
