Lessons Learned in 2010: #2

#2 You haven't truly walked by faith until you've been in a position where God had to come through or else you wouldn't make it.

Having faith is something most Christians talk about. The Bible says that without faith it is impossible to please God (Hebrews 11:6). Faith is the foundation of our relationship with Jesus Christ, but here's something I've learned about faith this year....

The further removed we are from our salvation experience the less likely we are to walk by faith and the more likely we are to walk by comfort. Early on this year, I looked at my life and realized it was way too comfortable. Actually, God said it was way too comfortable. I considered the faith and sacrifice Christ made for me. He literally gave up His life! I thought about the people God has used and is using greatly around the world for His glory. People who were more focused on His mission than maintaining the comforts of their life and their church.

Jennifer and I made a decision to make some major changes in our life so we could be more surrendered to God's call upon our lives. This required sacrifice, change, and a total dependence on God. We literally gave up 1/2 our income to take a step of faith and begin The Overflow. We had no idea how we would make it, but we were certain God was calling and as a result, we knew He would provide. As He is always faithful, God has provided more than we could ever have imagined. Has it been easy? No. Have there been times we felt overwhelmed and wondered if we were doing the right thing? Yes, several times, but in each of those times, God always came through and reaffirmed His call upon us.

God taught me a valuable principle from Matthew 5:1-12... He has blessings for us that extend far beyond mere happiness, the American dream, and an education, but in order for us to receive these blessings, we often have to go through situations where we need Him to come through for us. As I once heard someone say, "If you want to be used greatly by God you must be wounded deeply."

My experience this year doesn't even compare to what many Christians had to deal with this year. We didn't lose our house or have a close family member pass away. We haven't dealt with major sickness or tragic disappointment. However, many Christians have, and these are the people who can testify the most about the faithfulness of God!

So today, I challenge you to walk by faith. Take that step of faith that God is calling you to take. Some people will call you radical. Some of these people may even be other Christians, but if God is calling you to do something, it's more about being obedient than radical. When I look at the gospels and the examples we have of when Jesus called people to follow Him, He never asked them to become church-attenders; He asked them to give up their lives!