Faith Matters Podcast

Staying Committed Day 2

Trust God With The PaceNot only do we need to trust God with the plan for our lives, but we also need to trust Him with the pace of our lives. Even if it’s a little bit – or a lot – slower than we think it should be or would like it to be. It can be tempting to catch a glimpse of God’s plan, assume we understand the process, and run with it. But God is the only One who knows the plan, path and pace to take you exactly where you need to go, how you need to get there, and when you need to arrive in order for you to go the distance and bring the most glory to His name.The goal is always to go the distance. Matthew 6 emphasizes the goal to store up treasures in heaven, stretching “the distance” much farther than what we can merely obtain on earth. Treasures on earth are able to be destroyed or stolen and fall short of the secure and everlasting treasure we can have in heaven. To go the greater distance and store up those treasures in heaven always requires something greater. It’s a sacrifice, it’s strategic, and it takes strict training.Paul compares our race and how we ought to run to the work of an athlete in 1 Corinthians 9. Think of the athletes who compete on an Olympic level, for example. Their training is precise and intense and “they do it to get a crown that will not last” (v. 25). It looks different for all of us as we each run our own race, but we all must be intentional to move with purpose, develop a strong discipline, and submit to the way of Jesus to go the distance and receive our heavenly treasures – even if it means slowing down.We love to quote Psalm 23, but rarely do we give enough space to verse 2: “He makes me lay down in green pastures, he leads me beside quiet waters.” More often than not, we think we need to speed ahead or “keep up,” and we forget that God is a God of rest. Accomplishing more makes us feel like we’re moving forward and able to achieve more success, but God chooses to have us lay down. He leads us where it’s quiet. How we get where we’re going is not by rushing, but by resting.Sometimes the strategic training we need in order to run our race with endurance looks exactly like we think it might, with practices and exercises, and sometimes it looks backwards, with laying down and with stillness. Either way, remember to follow Jesus’ lead and trust that He knows exactly how to get you where you’re going when you need to be there.Are you trying to rush ahead in your race? What might you need to change in order to continue with endurance? Ask the Holy Spirit to reveal to you how you can implement different practices and incorporate more rest into your weekly rhythm.

Staying Committed Day 1

There Is A Race Marked Out For YouDon’t quit. Whatever it is for you today, you have the power and the strength to carry on, even if it doesn’t look like dance parties and celebrations. It might look like you showing up in your pajama pants or with tears in your eyes, but you can do it. You can keep going. You can keep showing up – to the blank page, to the piano, to your prayer closet, to your marriage, for your kids, at your job, you fill in the blank.It’s easy to think that the things we do don’t matter all that much, that our consistency doesn't make a difference, or that it’s okay to give up and sit down. The truth is that you’re here on purpose. You are not just one of many doing whatever feels right, you are the one that a specific race has been marked out for. Psalm 139 paints a beautiful picture of how God created you so specifically, so particularly, and had all your days marked down before even one of them came to be. You’re not just someone, you’re you – on purpose and for purpose!What you’re doing matters. We don’t often get to see how or what will come of it while we’re still in the middle, but Galatians 6:9 tells us that we will reap a harvest if we don’t give up. It doesn’t say maybe or that there is a good chance it’ll work out. It’s confirmed: it will come to pass. But take heart, friend. You’re not alone. Philippians 1:6 says that He who began a good work in us will carry it on to completion. This not only confirms, again, what’s to come but clarifies that He will carry it on.The power and the strength you have to endure comes from Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith. Hebrews 12:2–3 instructs us to look to Jesus, fix our eyes on Him, and consider Him as we run this race. That is how we don’t grow weary. That is how we don’t give up. We turn, again, to the source of our faith.Consider the area where you feel weary or where you feel like giving up. What if you are uniquely designed and equipped to do exactly that thing, and you are able to do it in a way that no one else can? How might that change the way you approach it each day?

God of Wonders; Day 5

God of Wonders; Day 4

Poetry of the IndescribableAs a teenager relegated to the back forty with the sheep, David probably had no idea that people would be reading his poetry thousands of years later. The future David envisioned for himself while hanging around sheep 24/7 was probably not that grandiose—certainly not a picture of the “you can be whatever you put your mind to” messages youth hear today. David’s father did not see much value in him; he did not even include David in the sibling lineup for Samuel the prophet. In the end, his earthly father’s rejection did not matter because his heavenly Father had already marked him for future greatness. No one but God knew the training camp for this future psalmist king took place alone in the field with his sheep.With no distractions except an occasional lost sheep to save, David’s senses could focus on the wonder around him day and night. He experienced the splendor of every sunrise, the fragrance of wildflowers, the feel of raindrops washing his face, the harvest moon bathing the sheep in light, and meteor showers displayed on the backdrop of the black dome of heaven. And even while David slept, his Creator visited him and shared His thoughts, sometimes in song. Those nighttime revelations might have become the lyrics to the songs David wrote. He lived as a prisoner of God’s creative exuberance. What a magnificent confinement. David’s every waking moment would be a living synonym of awe. He had to release the wonderment even though his words could never describe such indescribable glory. The heavens did a better job than he ever could, but that did not stop him. He was willing to collaborate and allow the wonder to guide his pen.Perhaps you have found your voice and started giving expression through writing, music or art. But if you are feeling stuck and wondering if you will ever get unstuck, the answer is yes. Or maybe you have not been able to start expressing yourself. The antidote to both situations is to overdose on beauty. Get so filled up by going for a walk in the woods or watching a sunset that you will burst if you do not express your feelings. Questions to Ponder: What type of creative expression have you always wanted to pursue? How do you think you would find the awe of God in doing that?

God of Wonders; Day 3

Surprised by GodFor Moses this was another ordinary, lonely day in the wilderness tending his sheep. But for God it was a historic day, marked by an ambush through angelic visitation and a burning bush. The scene was Sinai—God’s holy mountain. Did Moses know where he was? Was he trespassing on holy ground?It was too late to check. Suddenly an angel of the Lord appeared, igniting a bush. There was nothing unusual about the bush itself, but when God shows up, the smallest plant becomes significant—but not to everyone. God was watching Moses. Would this flaming bush get his attention enough to draw him closer? God is always wooing us closer to Himself, whether with angelic visitation, a burning bush or a still, small voice. Moses noticed this was no ordinary burning bush because it continued burning. Amazing! And to his astonishment, a voice from within the bush called his name. Scary? Yes, and more so when the voice identified Himself as God. At that point Moses covered his face.God had a greater purpose with the pyrotechnic display than to wow Moses out of boredom. He does not use His glory to entertain. His purpose is twofold: first, to get our attention; and second, to transform our thinking about ourselves to fulfill our destiny. Sometimes it is easier for God to lead a bush than a human being. The bush obeyed, bursting into flames. Moses hesitated to follow God’s command because he did not see himself as God did. It is through bush-burning encounters that we get a better perspective of ourselves in relation to God. When we obey, He brings the firepower to ignite us in the call. You do not need a burning bush to have a conversation with God. Jesus said He was never alone because the Father was always with Him. And He is with you right now. Ask Him why He has confidence in you. His answer may change your view of yourself as well as of Him.Questions to Ponder: What purpose or ability had God helped you fulfill in your life? How did this change your view about yourself?

God of Wonders; Day 2

Pregnant with PromiseWe first meet Sarah and learn of her barrenness in Genesis 11. The conception of her son, Isaac, does not come until Genesis 21. The chapters in between represent 39 years of waiting. Today, a woman’s “success” is not measured by the fruitfulness of her womb, although infertility is painful for any couple longing for children. In Abraham’s day, an empty cradle was shameful. And then Sarah’s hopeful expectation became the silent cynical laugh heard by God. God hears the pain no one else does, including yours.Because of famine in Canaan, Abraham fled to pagan Egypt. As a stranger in a land that did not honor God’s laws, his fear was understandable. He recognized that Sarah’s beauty would attract unwanted attention from the locals. His concern was not so much about her safety but more about his as her husband. If an Egyptian wanted her for his harem, he would have no problem killing Abraham. Posing as her brother made Abraham less of a threat. Since Abraham had not had the benefit of marriage counseling that instructed him to love his wife as Christ loved the Church, even to the point of laying his life down, lying seemed logical. And over the years, the helpmeet wife of the Garden had become more of a slave wife, required to do as the master commanded. Many people today, men and women, would have a few unrepeatable words for Abraham. Abraham devalued Sarah to save himself. But it would be hard for Sarah not to have thought less of herself anyway, living with the label of barren. Society’s expectation for her was fruitfulness. She had failed. After years of trying to get pregnant, what humiliation to offer her maid’s womb to Abraham. Only God could know the depth of her dissatisfaction, anger, rejection, loneliness and hopelessness. And then Sarah was pregnant. She knew, Abraham knew and everyone knew that it was impossible for her to bear a child at her age. And yet it became evident as her abdomen protruded more and more. And then her mourning turned to joyful laughter as she cradled baby Isaac—her own sign and wonder, the promise of God.Questions to Ponder: What longtime request has God granted in your life? What emotions did you experience when hoped-for became reality?