It Was by Faith…

I’ve been thinking lately about things that get in the way of our dreams, goals, work we’re trying to accomplish, and even relationships. Sometimes it’s not necessarily an obstacle that gets in our way, it’s more nerves…because stepping out in faith can do that.

Taking that first step out of our comfort zone not knowing where the second step will lead is unnerving. The more steps we take, the further we get from the safety of our zone, and that can be frightening.

I want to step out in faith, but I want to stay within reach of the place I’m used to.

Picture a baseball player trying to steal second base. When he sees he’ll be out at second, he tries to get back on first before the ball gets thrown to the first baseman and he’s tagged out.

That’s me trying to step out in faith. I want to get to the next safe place, but if I can’t get there I want to know my position in my comfort zone is secure.

The problem is, I can’t have it both ways. I can’t stay safely in my comfort zone and still step out in faith. It doesn’t work that way.

Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen. Hebrews 11:1 ESV

The note for this verse in my Bible says…

Faith is a settled confidence that something in the future—something that is not yet seen but has been promised by God—will actually come to pass because God will bring it about. (Crossway ESV Study Bible)

The ability to take that step in faith comes from our faith in God Himself—believing God is who He says He is, knowing that God keeps His promises, and having the confidence that God is in control in all circumstances. {Tweet this}

The book of Hebrews is filled with examples of faith heroes—people from the Old Testament who walked when God told them to walk, stayed when He said to stay, and obeyed even though they couldn’t see what was ahead.

It was by faith that Abraham obeyed when God called him to leave home and go to another land that God would give him as his inheritance. He went without knowing where he was going. And even when he reached the land God promised him, he lived there by faith—for he was like a foreigner, living in tents. And so did Isaac and Jacob, who inherited the same promise. Hebrews 11:8-9 NLT (bold mine)

It was by faith that Moses left the land of Egypt, not fearing the king’s anger. He kept right on going because he kept his eyes on the one who is invisible. Hebrews 11:27 NLT (bold mine)

More than 15 times in Hebrews 11, great stories of moments and journeys start with It was by faith, and it has me asking myself how my It was by faith story will read. How will yours read?

By faith these people overthrew kingdoms, ruled with justice, and received what God had promised them. They shut the mouths of lions, quenched the flames of fire, and escaped death by the edge of the sword. Their weakness was turned to strength. They became strong in battle and put whole armies to flight. Hebrews 11:33-34 NLT (bold mine)

Their weakness was turned to strength. They didn’t walk in faith because they were already strong. God gave them strength because they trusted Him and took that step. And He will do the same for us. {Tweet this}

Our stories are not yet complete. All of our By faith moments make up our journeys, and our By faith journeys will be great stories to be told.

Where are you in your It was by faith journey? What’s keeping you from crossing your comfort zone boundary?

In Christ,

Laura

[Photo credit: K. Rath]

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