Sunday, September 4, 2016

FAITH EVOLUTION CON'T


I do believe that right now, at this very moment, I am in a unique but precarious position.  Daily, I feel as though I were perched on the age of a very tall precipice: gilded airbrushed tip toes dangerously close to the edge.  I can see off in the distance, my Emerald City: all of those glittery goals and ridiculous time tables that I have set for myself.  The goals akin to bench marks represent what success looks like to me. 

If I could, I would jump up right now in my purple Betsey Johnson pajamas and run, full throttle toward my goals.   But, that would be FOLLY.  Who begins a journey without supplies, without a compass, without shoes?  

Thankfully the journey (my journey), from Northeast to the Emerald City is divinely orchestrated.   

11 For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.  Jeremiah 29:11

My task: to put one foot in front of the other, sure that when I set aside time daily to commune with God, I will be guided, directed, protected and loved.

I am a witness that when you seek God daily, He will impart wisdom; the type of insight that can enable you to take a step forward even when it appears that you will walk right off the cliff.

If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you.  James 1:5

This week like the week before, I spent my quiet time with God seeking clarity on what constitutes faith.  The book of Luke provides some guidance.

According to Luke chapter 11, faith is evidenced by importunity.  It is persistence (without anxiety) in your ask.  

Remember the proverb about the man who had no bread to offer his houseguest.  Instead of fretting, he went to his friend’s house and repeatedly knocked on the friend’s door.  Eventually the friend answered and gave the man some bread.  

The obvious lesson is that we must be persistent when we ask God for assistance.   But the the more latent lesson is this: God’s very nature is such that He (like a good friend) delights in giving gifts to His beloved.  In fact, God’s gifts bear witness to His very character.  Consequently, we can approach God boldly knowing with certainty that He will answer.

5 Then Jesus said to them, “Suppose you have a friend, and you go to him at midnight and say, ‘Friend, lend me three loaves of bread; 6 a friend of mine on a journey has come to me, and I have no food to offer him.’ 7 And suppose the one inside answers, ‘Don’t bother me. The door is already locked, and my children and I are in bed. I can’t get up and give you anything.’ 8 I tell you, even though he will not get up and give you the bread because of friendship, yet because of your shameless audacity[e] he will surely get up and give you as much as you need.9 “So I say to you: Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. 10 For everyone who asks receives; the one who seeks finds; and to the one who knocks, the door will be opened.11 “Which of you fathers, if your son asks for[f] a fish, will give him a snake instead? 12 Or if he asks for an egg, will give him a scorpion? 13 If you then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him!”  Luke 11:5-13

God is ever present to provide us with “our daily bread,” all that we need to exceed our goals. We need only ask God for help in real time with laughter and no anxiety.

He will answer.  Be persistent.  Be prayerful.  Be patient. 


It is a promise, darling.