Panting as if she has run 5 miles, Phyllis plopped down on the bench to rest. “Woo, (pant), my legs feel as wobbly as a 2-legged stool, (pant)! I need to sit for a while, (pant). Betty, (pant), did they add more stairs?” she asked as a puzzled expression crossed her face.
Betty sat down beside her shaking her head. “No, Phyllis. Now don’t tell me I’m barking up the wrong tree when I say you’ve been sitting too long in front of that TV. You need to get up and move! If you want to be able to hightail it up those steps, then exercise those muscles!”
MOVE IT!
We all know that to strengthen our muscles we have to exercised them. Phyllis could look at those steps all day long but until she walked up them and exercised her muscles, she would do nothing to increase her strength.
How about our faith muscles?
Just like our muscles are strengthened as we walk, our faith is strengthened as we walk too.
For we walk by faith, not by sight.
2 Corinthians 5:7
Some walks may require more faith than others!
All walks of faith have one common requirement; motion. Faith is an action word.
Sometimes that means we exercise our faith muscles by taking the first step. We step forward, even if we can’t see our final destination. Now that’s not to say there won’t be times of waiting.
WAITING?!
You mean I can find a cozy spot, plop down and let my mind drift?
Not exactly. The scripture doesn’t say “sit” by faith. It says “walk” by faith.
We walk by faith exercising our faith muscles even when we are waiting.
WAITING CAN INVOLVE THE ACTION OF:
ACTIVELY PRAYING
Like any good communication, we not only speak but we also take time to listen.
Be still, and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations,
I will be exalted in the earth! Psalm 46:10
FASTING
Although fasting is usually denying ourselves food, how about fasting from something else? We could fast from TV, video games or the computer. Then that time could be used to pray and read the Bible.
Check out Isaiah 58 to see God’s perspective on a proper fast. The result of fasting God’s way?
Then your light shall break forth like the morning,
Your healing shall spring forth speedily,
And your righteousness shall go before you;
The glory of the Lord shall be your rear guard. Isaiah 58:8
LISTENING & WATCHING
Listen for God’s answer and watch for the opportunities He presents. God can do the impossible – so expect it!
“Behold, I am the Lord, the God of all flesh. Is there anything too hard for Me?” Jeremiah 32:27
Our loving God wants to give us answers and direct our paths. Just like He did it for Ezra and the Israelites, God will do it for us.
Ezra was leading a group of Israelite exiles from Babylon to Jerusalem. They carried many articles of silver, bronze and gold for the temple in Jerusalem. Concerned with being ambushed, they camped for three days to fast and pray. They were actively walking in faith.
Then I proclaimed a fast there at the river of Ahava, that we might humble ourselves before our God, to seek from Him the right way for us and our little ones and all our possessions. Ezra 8:21
The result of their fasting and prayers?
Then we departed from the river of Ahava on the twelfth day of the first month, to go to Jerusalem.
And the hand of our God was upon us, and He delivered us from the hand of the enemy and
from ambush along the road. Ezra 8:31
God may never ask you to lead a group out of exile, but He will ask you to walk in faith. So next time that you are faced with a situation requiring faith, ask Him how He wants you to actively “walk” in faith.
REFLECTION
Are you waiting for an answer from God? If so, are you actively walking in faith?
PRAYER
Heavenly Father, as I write 2 Corinthians 5:7 and say it aloud along with my request, show me how to actively walk in faith. In Jesus name, amen.
WE STRENGTHEN OUR FAITH BY ACTIVELY WALKING
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Thanks so much!
May your day be filled with love and laughter!
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Walking feet photo, Bruno Nascimento, unsplash
Tightrope walker photo, Jose Pablo Dominguez, unsplash
Koala photo, David Clode, unsplash
