How Is Your Faith Walk?

How do we know we are walking in God’s will? Decisions seem obvious when there is a clear cut divide between right and wrong, good and bad, or even good and best. But what about a choice between good and good?

Do you know you are right smack bang in the middle of God’s best because everything just go to plan? Does it mean there are open doors, smooth seas and a road with no hills, potholes or detours?

When I was at uni, much of our group discussion was focused on one particular topic. Yep, boys. Going to uni in Toowoomba, there were certainly lots of good options when it came to potential partners. Engineers, farmers, dark haired country boys (who drove utes), fellow youth group leaders, the relatives and school friends of my Toowoomba friends. There was one guy in particular who was admired from a far. “ V-Neck Boy”. We never did find out his actual name, but with so many “good options”, it seemed impossible to know which one was God’s best.

My group of friends and I always joked about how it would be so helpful if God would just give us a little help in making the right choice clear for us. We decided the best option would be a big neon sign, saying, “This one” hovering over their head wherever they went. I mean, if God wanted us to choose the right one, why couldn’t He just make it obvious?

It is a shame and it may surprise you, but none of us did receive our bright, flashing lights from heaven, revealing our perfect match. We did however, all get married and there are fifteen children between our four families.

I have been incredibly blessed to call myself Corey’s wife for almost 18 years. I would be missing something here though if I didn’t say there have been difficult moments. Or even seasons. Seasons that seemed to have no foreseeable end. Seasons that tested our faith, our courage, our commitment, our communications skills and patience.

But I guess this is where we come to learn that just because decisions can
bring moments or seasons that are difficult, it doesn’t mean that God has left you in your decision and it doesn’t mean that you aren’t walking in God’s will.

Although there can be consequences for our poor decisions, there aren’t any unforeseen winds that come from heaven. God never accidentally leaves one door open to let another slam shut in the breeze. No choice we make takes Him by surprise and there is no choice we can make that He won’t be waiting for us on the other side.

Do you remember that Paul rejoiced when things didn’t go to plan? Opposition and trials actually made Him feel like he was on the right track. If only that were my attitude. It is so easy to “dig up something planted in faith” Does anyone else pray and agonise (in no particular order), over big, or small decisions? And when things don’t go as planned, doubt makes a dramatic appearance? Then guilt? “I must have done something wrong”. When really, many things are actually far beyond our control. Or maybe you throw a pity party? “Oh, of course. This stuff could only happen to me.”
I get it. It’s hard. “Why did I….?”, “If only I…..”. And others chime in,…. “Why don’t you just,….”, “Silly girl”.

People who look in ask questions you don’t even have answers for. Or they just plain tell you you are wrong. The voices, or the silence, can be deafening.
To the outside world faith decisions don’t make sense. They often look like; taking less money, spooky ponies, stepping out of a noble career, giving more than you possess, believing in, or placing value in something or someone when no one else does. I read a quote this week that read,

“Sometimes, faith will make you look stupid, until it starts to rain.”

NOAH

What an encouragement. Nothing about who Jesus was and nothing that he did made sense to those around Him. What earthly King is born in a stable? Who turns water into wine and wants to keep it a secret? Who, proclaiming they are the Son of God eats with tax collectors? Who, proclaims, “to be great is to be a servant?” Who can answer another’s venomous words with a soul piercing question? Who, having legions of angels at their command allows themselves to be arrested and hung on a cross?

Jesus walked the narrow path perfectly. He was the ultimate in counter cultural living. He listened only to His Father and sought only His affection.

This faith walk certainly isn’t easy, but I try to remember, when I surrendered to His will yesterday, I can be sure of His presence today. Even when things don’t go to plan. Actually, especially when things don’t go to plan.

This is why our constant and deliberate walk with Him is so vital. There is a saying that goes,

“Proper preparation prevents poor performance”.

Author Unknown

Mark 9 tells a story about a boy the disciples tried to heal but couldn’t. In verse 28 Jesus answers, “This type of powerful spirit can only be cast out by fasting and prayer”. (TPT)

I have come to realise, in an earthquake, it is too late to build a cornerstone. In the heat of a battle, it is life threatening to turn around to pick up our shield. In a storm it’s impossible to build a shelter.

What if perfect peace in the midst of these times can only be found before the storm, before the battle and before the earthquake?

The world is watching us on our walks of faith. How we act when we are treated poorly. How we handle discouragement and tragedy. It’s watching when things fall apart. The world, and those close to us are watching our attitudes, our reactions, and our social media accounts.

What an opportunity to surrender it all to Him and remember He is
as He promised, “With us.” Emmanuel. When we are properly prepared, with prayer and petition to God, we don’t need a neon sign. We can be confident God is with us and when things go skew if, what if it means we definitely are on the right track?

How wonderful it is when our prior moments with Him spill over into surrender in our every day lives. When I have been anchored to the rock that is higher than I, I can find peace in the wild, comfort in pain, kindness in tension, forgiveness in hurt and understanding in confusion.

Excuse me now while I go make some time to pray.

Eucharisteo,

Mel