The Missing Link

For as long as I can remember, I have always sensed my understanding in any matter was incomplete. In every situation, I always sensed there was something more, some kind of understanding that explains it more fully, more simply, more elegantly. This could make me feel anxious at times. I always knew there was something more. As Paul says…

For now we see in a mirror dimly, but then face to face; now I know in part, but then I will know fully just as I also have been fully known. 1 Cor 13:12

It is this desire to find understanding that led me to the truth in Christ. But it has also made me feel very insecure, unsettled in everyday life. But now I think I “understand” how to close this gap, By faith! First, I cannot possibly understand every situation, and two, God does, So, the only way I can close the gap is by faith. Faith-based understanding.

Ironically, I have such confidence for this in tech / business meetings where my understanding is woefully incomplete. He will drop a word of knowledge, understanding in my spirit. I must believe for this well proven relationship to be everywhere, and every situation. Faith is how I can enter His rest as described in Hebrew’s 4. God is not striving, neither should we. Let Him bring it to us when we need it. He knows.

When God Moves, We Want to Run

When Mary found out she was pregnant, she could have freaked, knowing that being pregnant and unmarried could result in death, and at the very least, losing the man she loved. But as Elizabeth spoke…

And blessed is she who believed that there would be a fulfillment of what had been spoken to her by the Lord. Luke 1:45

To stop natural law from killing her she could have tried to take the natural solution and kill her baby. She could have run and hid, then given the baby away. I’m sure many ideas raced through her mind in the dead of night. So many paths she could direct and be in control. Anything other than the unnatural walk of faith. In many cases, faith means do nothing except trust God. In Mary’s case, to save her life. How could he?

For nothing will be impossible with God. Luke 1:37

Fear One Way, Faith the Other…

Look both ways before you cross the road.

That’s what my mother taught me. Now days, I often see fear one way and faith the other.

When I have a big decision, I often have the feeling I am about to step out into traffic on a busy interstate. I’m just waiting for the proverbial bus that is going to mow me down. Failure! BAM! That is fear.

I also have the choice of faith. Believing for the best. I have free will to choose where to place my heart. Faith is trusting in the Lord. Fear and faith cannot occupy the same space in my heart at the same time. The following scripture encourages me to choose faith, to realize that I am blessed no matter what happens.

And blessed is he who trusts in the Lord. Proverbs 16:20

I must believe I am going to be blessed simply by the fact that I am trusting in the Lord, and not because of the quality of my decision making. I do believe you can influence the outcome through faith. But I must let events play out over time to make the ultimate assessment of whether I was blessed or not. I can say that after 25+ years trusting the Lord, I have never come up short. But the paths I have ended up walking have been very different and very rough at times. But the rough spots always bring about the character transformation that is foundational to receiving the blessings mentioned in Proverbs 16:20. It is the transformed character that brings about true happiness we all seek. That is the true blessing.

Out of Control

And that’s the way I like it.

Because God’s ways are above our ways, we can never fully understand our journey. We do not see the big picture. We cannot be in control of our life because we do not see it as He does. Therefore, we deceive ourselves if we think we can figure His will and then go do it.

Trying to understand is a natural instinct, but only creates uncertainty and anxiety because results do not match up to expectations. The things of God are spiritually appraised. If we truly believe He loves us as a loving father, then we can trust Him to work out the big picture and give us wisdom for the many little things. With this kind of faith, we will do His will not fully knowing we are. Just love Him, pray and ask for guidance.

But a natural man does not accept the things of the Spirit of God, for they are foolishness to him; and he cannot understand them, because they are spiritually appraised. 1 Cor 2:14