Faith and The Little Things

A few months ago, everything changed.  My husband and I decided that we were going to move to a brand new city and help plant a church.  What was the catalyst of this change you ask?  Well, quite frankly, God said "Go".  We all know that when God says "Go" you go because you know that whatever he has waiting for you is much better than staying where you're at.   We also know that wherever He asks us to go is the "zipcode to our destiny," and what an awesome thing that is!  This is an a act of great faith.


"What is faith?  It is the confident assurance that what we hope for is going to happen.  It is the evidence of things we cannot yet see.  God gave his approval to people in the days of old because of their faith.  By faith we understand that the entire universe was formed at God's command, that what we now see did not come from anything that can be seen."  Hebrews 11:1-3  NLT


For many of us, we have entered into a new season in life.  But not just any 'ole season, THE LIFE CHANGING season.  All I can describe it as is we are going through a complete metamorphosis:


Metamorphosis- a profound change in form from one stage to the next in the life history of an organism, as from the caterpillar to the pupa and from the pupa to the adult butterfly.  


Now, I don't expect that the caterpillar is worried about the details on how they will reach their destiny as a butterfly, but I know that I am beginning to become anxious about the details in my own life change.   I am leaving steady income, loved ones, and a home behind.    I have faith for the big change, so why am I having a hard time with the little ones like new jobs, homes, friends, money etc?  I wanted to cry.  I began to ask the Lord for wisdom.  He told me to read Hebrews 11.


"By faith, Noah built a ship in the middle of dry land.  He was warned about something he couldn't see, and acted on what he was told.  The result?  His family was saved."  Hebrews 11:7


"By an act of faith, Abraham said yes to God's call to travel to an unknown place that would become his home." Hebrews 11:8


"By faith, barren Sarah was able to become pregnant, old woman as she was at the time because she believed the one who made a promise would do what he said."  Hebrews 11:11


"Through acts of faith, they toppled kingdoms, made justice work, took the promises for themselves.  They were protected from lions, fires and sword thrusts, turned disadvantage to advantage, won battles, routed alien armies." Hebrews 11:33,34


After I read this I thought about their situations.  Because they were human, they probably had their anxieties and thoughts about everything too.  I'm sure the "how's" and "why's" passed through their minds, but one thing they had was foresight.  They marched ahead anyway because they had eyes to see the end result.  They also had eyes to see God as the trustworthy Father he really is.   
This is key to overcoming the how's and whys.  When we put our focus on God, it shifts our vision from the anxious details of our changes in life.   This brings peace.


"People with their minds set on you, you keep completely whole, steady on their feet because they keep at it and don't quit.  Depend on God and keep at it because in the Lord God you have a sure thing."  Isaiah 26:3,4 msg


"The Lord is trustworthy in all he promises and faithful in all he does."  Psalm 145:13 NIV


Sometimes I think that the reason why God doesn't tell us all the details right away is because maybe we'd force things to happen before the right time.  Or maybe we would end up not talking with him as much about what's on our heart, or include him in our day to day decisions.  He longs to be a part of our daily thoughts and actions. This is what intimacy is.


"Trust God from the bottom of your heart; don't try to figure out everything on your own.  Listen for God's voice in everything you do, everywhere you go; he's the one who will keep you on track."  Proverbs 3:5,6 msg


I guess when I think about it this way, it takes my worries away and makes me appreciate the way God orchestrates everything in our lives. 


  


  Because anyone who wants to approach God must believe both that he exists and that he cares enough to respond to those who seek him."  Hebrews 11:6 msg