Relationship Revolution: Where is Your Faith?

Let's say that you wake up one morning and decide to read your Bible. Not being sure of what to read or where to find just what you need you do the old standby (though not recommended) method of 'open, drop and read' (not to be confused with 'stop, drop and roll'). On this particular morning you read from the book of Psalms and find truths like this one, "I have numbered your days," or this one, "I am your strong tower," or even this one, "I am your rock and refuge in times of trouble."

These truths excited you with hope, for a moment, for in them you begin to sense that regardless of your circumstances (loss of job, pending divorce, brokenness with your kids) that God might, He just might, still be working it out for you. But the excitement is short lived as your circumstance comes into full view once again with the realities that 'today' will bring. However, God will simply not let up this morning and then He takes you to the New Testament, wherein you read truths like these: 'my yoke is easy and my burden is light,' or 'I work all things (all things) for the good for those who are called according to my purposes," or this one, "your momentary trails will produce great reward if you persist in Him." And once again you hope - a hope you had not realized before and a trust that had been fleeting throughout your previous, days, weeks, months, perhaps even years.

Then, of course, it hits - your worst fears become a reality. The job interview (your fifth in a row) goes nowhere, your spouse packs his/her bags, your child refuses to even speak with you, etc., etc., etc. And, despite all you have just read in the Bible on this morning, you jump to your feet and you scream at God, yes God. Your scream might sound something like this, "Hey God, where are you? Are you sleeping on the job? You must be because my life is in shambles and you are nowhere to be found - it is as if you don't even care!?!?" What do you suppose God's response will be? Will he come with the antiseptic wipes and the band aids? Will he show up with apologies for simply being too busy and tell you that it will all be fine in the morning, and that yes, He is the one to blame? Will he say that 'none of this is your fault or your own doing - those humans you live with are to blame!'?

While I am not sure exactly what He would say, I do know it would sound something like this: "Oh, my child who has read my promises for this life and the next, where, oh where is your faith?" Hmmm, what does one do with that question? This is exactly the question he asked his disciples when they woke him up during the midst of the storm. They are scared to death, thinking Christ has lost his marbles to be sleeping in the midst of the storm. He wakes up, calms the storm then simply says, 'where is your faith?'

Why could Christ ask this question? Well, for one thing He had just reminded them of the type of life they could live if the Word would take root. Also, he directly told them before the storm that they were to 'go to the other side.' In other words, His Word and Destination had changed not one tiny little bit - they were just being tested in the midst of it - they were being tried to the point of fear.

Perhaps the circumstances have changed for you and me, but the question remains the same. In the midst of relationship problems, struggles at work, with our health, our neighbors, our finances, God's direction for our life, we are all faced with the challenge to let our faith be our guide - really our strength. In this context the idea of faith is more akin to a hope and confidence in Christ - a trust in Him, a deep abiding trust that literally unleashes His power in our life and allows us the freedom to remain rock solid and steadfast, no matter what may come!

Do you have this type of faith today? Join us Sunday as we explore the life changing possibilities of living out our faith on a day by day, moment by moment basis!

From His Grace, For His Glory!
Biz