A Step of Faith

"If the LORD delights in a man’s way,
   he makes his steps firm;
though he stumble, he will not fall,
   for the LORD upholds him with his hand."

Psalm 37:23-24

"I guide you in the way of wisdom
   and lead you along straight paths.
When you walk, your steps will not be hampered;
   when you run, you will not stumble.
Hold on to instruction, do not let it go;
   guard it well, for it is your life."

Proverbs 4:11-13

"In his heart a man plans his course,
   but the LORD determines his steps."

Proverbs 16:9

I can't help but think about the faith of various people throughout scripture. Abraham as he started on the trek to sacrifice his beloved son Isaac; Moses as he headed back to Egypt to lead the Israelites to the promised land; and the disciples as they chose to follow Christ's teachings despite persecution. Throughout the Bible there are continuous examples of men and women who lived out their faith and followed what God called them to do. So too, Christ calls us to step out in faith and trust Him.

Dictionary.com defines faith as 'confidence or trust in a person or thing; belief that is not based on proof.' Faith requires trust even when we can't see or know what the result will be. The easy way would be to not progress forward, but this can lead to becoming stagnant.

I pray I will live my life like those who have gone before me - not afraid to step out in faith and follow God's calling, no matter how difficult it may seem. 

The Power of a Word of Encouragement

"A word aptly spoken
   is like apples of gold in settings of silver." Proverbs 25:11

For months I've been crippled from moving forward - stagnant and unable to see past some criticism I received. Those words caused me to question a call I know God placed on my life. I didn't deny or reject God's calling, but was paralyzed to break free from the shroud of doubt and move forward. I knew I needed to get past the situation, but seemed immobilized. I had the image of drowning and reaching out for a hand to help pull me above the abyss, but finding none.

Words of affirmation and encouragement from my husband and friends didn't penetrate the fog I found myself in the middle of. I prayed and prayed, but still no direction or answers or leadings. I was at an impasse. Then yesterday I received words of affirmation from a colleague. They weren't much different from what I had been hearing from my support system, but for some reason it finally broke through and changed my outlook on the situation. Since then, creativity and ideas are flowing.

What a blessing to receive a word of encouragement when I needed it the most. My friend Sandra's words were aptly spoken, like apples of gold in settings of silver. May I look for those opportunities to speak words of encouragement in a dark situation to those I meet.

Thanks Sandra. This one's for you! :)

New Year Thoughts - Part Two

A fresh pallet, a blank page, an open calendar, with days stretched before us, awaiting God's touch in our lives. May 2012 be a year of new opportunities and horizons. A chance to stretch and grow in our faith. Another moment of choosing to rest in God's presence and to be the person He desires for us to be. May this be the year we draw in a deeper and closer relationship with our Heavenly Father. He's reaching out....will you answer His call?