Encouragement: Stepping Out On Faith
There are no guarantees in life, and that goes double for fatherhood. No matter how hard we try things don’t always (rarely) go the way we plan or hope. We can’t say for sure how/who our kids will be when they grow up. All we can do is be the best example we can and head them in a direction. But, which direction? Of all the books and “experts” out there only one guarantees real proven results: the Bible. It has been the rule for over two thousand years. Though it is not an end in and of its self it is a a guide post, a map, a compass; if you will, to guide and point us in the right direction. Towards living the adventure of following Jesus the Christ.
Enjoy Jimmy’s devotional,
James
Be.Do.Live.
STEPPING OUT ON FAITH
“For we walk by faith, not by sight.” – 2 Corinthians 5:7
I never have enjoyed putting puzzles together. And yet, from time to time, I find myself doing just that. Somehow I get talked into sorting through all of the pieces and finding their proper places within the puzzle.
And, it’s usually one of those 5,000 piece puzzles! 
)
Now, for me, the FIRST thing I do when trying to work on a puzzle is to look at the box cover. Yep, I check to see what the end result is supposed to look like. If I know what it is supposed to look like, then I feel more comfortable jumping in and getting on with it. If I know the end result, then I know what logical steps to take next in order to achieve that end result.
And not only do I look at the end result at the beginning of my puzzle adventure, but I also refer to that box cover throughout the entire journey. I can easily see if I’m still on track. There are mile markers and guideposts to keep me headed in the right direction. From time to time when a piece doesn’t seem to fit right, I just look at the picture and can determine what needs to go where.
You know, God’s will is kind of like a puzzle with its various parts. Only with God, He does things a bit differently, doesn’t He?
For starters, He seldom shows us the finished product. He doesn’t give us a photograph of how everything fits together and says, “Here put it together this way.” Instead, He hands us one piece at a time, and then tells us where to put it. Rarely do we ever see how things are going to turn out before we begin, but rather are required to step out on faith and allow God to bring us to the completion point.
God doesn’t use the mile markers of a box cover to keep us headed in the right direction, but rather uses the guideposts of the Holy Spirit and His Word to lead us throughout the journey.
You know, we are such logical creatures that we want all the pieces to fit. We think if we can put all the pieces together, then we’ll be able to see. We say, “Show me God and I’ll do it.” God says, “Do it and I’ll show you.”
God didn’t hand Abraham a roadmap and put an X where He wanted him to arrive. He said, “Go and I’ll let you know when you get there.” God requires that we step out on faith and trust Him.
Christian, what has God laid upon YOUR heart to do today, or this week or with your life? Does it seem puzzling to you? Things just don’t seem to logically fit into place? Maybe it’s time you stopped trying to find a box cover to look at and simply step out on faith to take one piece at a time from the Hand of God.
“For we walk by faith, not by sight.” – 2 Corinthians 5:7
Have a “Wonderful DAY in Christ,”
Jimmy D. Brown
\o/ Praise Jesus!
living4jesus.com
