"Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen."
Hebrews 11:1
To start off this week's blog post, I'd like to share a story with you. A story that had me both laughing and contemplating on how we sometimes would rather stand back than take the leap of faith.
"A man once went with a friend for a ride out in the country. They drove off the main road and through a grove of orange trees to a mostly uninhabited piece of land. A few horses grazed there amidst a couple of old shacks. Walter stopped the car and began to describe vividly the things he was going to build on the land. He wanted his friend Arthur to buy some of the acreage surrounding his project. Walter explained to his friend, "I can handle the main project myself. It will take all my money, but...I want you to have the first chance at this surrounding acreage, because in the next five years it will increase in value several hundred times." Arthur thought to himself, Who in the world is going to drive twenty-five miles for this crazy project? His dream has taken the best of his common sense. He mumbled something about a tight-money situation and promised to look into the deal later. "Later on will be too late," Walter cautioned. "You'd better move on it right now." Arthur failed, however, to act. And so it was that Art Linkletter turned down the opportunity to buy the land that surrounded what became Disneyland, the land his friend Walt Disney had tried to talk him into. Most opportunities take a step of faith whether for financial or relationship investments."
I laughed as I thought about how Art Linkletter missed out on the opportunity to buy into that "crazy project" that had "taken the best of Walt Disney's common sense". But really, this is a common occurence isn't it? How many times do we have the opportunity to do something worthwhile, but think it's not worth the trouble or that it's a "risky venture"? Experiences may vary from not giving someone advice who really needs it to not witnessing to someone, though God might have opened their hearts on a particular day to hear the gospel. From not lending money to a friend in need to not inviting a poor family over for a meal, because their clothes are dirty. God opens up many different doors of opportunities to us, but we have to be willing to take the leap.
When studying about faith, you're most likely to find it talked about in detail throughout the New Testament. Although, there are numerous stories in the Old Testament that reflect true faith as well. Such an example would the story of Noah. "By faith Noah, being divinely warned of things not yet seen, moved with godly fear, prepared an ark for the saving of his household, by which he condemned the world and became heir of the righteousness which is according to faith." (Hebrews 11:7) Noah knew that God would send the flood. Most likely, when he was mocked and ridiculed by his friends and neighbors, doubts crossed his mind. When we stand up for something we believe to be pleasing to God (such as homeschooling or courtship), we may get jeered by people who say we'll never be socially adjusted or that no person wants to go through the "supervised" and "protected" way to finding a partner. It just doesn't happen. Of course, we know better. But it's through firm faith in knowing that God is in control of the outcomes, will we be able to overcome those thoughts of doubt and dismay to "fit in" with the world's way of thinking.
Which brings us to this point. Though we may not know what lies ahead after taking that "leap of faith", it will truly be faith when we can't see the ending to the story as Hebrews 11:1 says, ""Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen." We can't see germs (with the naked eye), but we know they are there. There are millions and millions of constellations in space, but we will never see them all; however, we know they are out there. Nor can we see the wind, yet we feel it hit our faces. Neither can we see God; but, we can see Him through His marvelous creation. You don't need to see germs or the wind in order to believe they really do exist. It takes faith to believe in things we can't see.
There are many verses that we could cover through studying faith in the Bible, but a few might include:
"For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision nor uncircumcision avails anything, but faith working through love." Galatians 5:6
"Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen. For by it the elders obtained a good testimony. By faith we understand that the worlds were framed by the Word of God, so that the things which are seen were not made of things which are visible."
Hebrews 11:1-3
"But without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him. By faith Noah, being divinely warned of things not yet seen, moved with godly fear, prepared an ark for the saving of his household, by which he condemned the world and became heir of the righteousness which is according to faith."
Hebrews 11:6-7
"Let no one despise your youth, but be an example to the believers in word, in conduct, in love, in spirit, in faith, in purity."
1 Timothy 4:12
"For as the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without works is dead also."
James 2:26
Considering the last two verses especially, we're told that we are to exemplify faith by what we say and do. Also, that if we have faith, but fail to do Christian acts--planting the seeds of kindness and truly living a life pleasing to Christ--that this faith is worth nothing. We cannot have faith and only do good works. Without faith, good works are worthless.
Just as Art Linkletter missed out on a huge financial deal, what are we missing out on doing today? How can we take the step towards doing a kind deed or saying an encouraging word today? No matter how our responses turn out, how can we use a situation today that requires us to take a leap of faith?
In Christ,
Anna
