Rubber Band Faith

I’ve often heard faith being described as a rubber band.  It’s continually being stretched as you step outside of your comfort zone.  You can hear the sound of your heart palpitating and the shortness of your breath exhaling.  Every single time God is stretching my faith, I automatically want to shut down and hide.  Stepping out on faith can be scary and exciting all at the same time, however I know it’s impossible to please God without faith.

“And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him.”  (Hebrews 11:6 NIV)  

I remembered the first time I was asked to write the blog, I was terrified and shied away from it for six months.  I was afraid of failing but more importantly I didn’t feel qualified.  I was nervous, insecure, and unsure of myself.  I tried talking myself out of it.  I didn’t know enough scriptures.  I’m not a theologian.  I could write a million excuses but my spiritual father reminded me, “It’s not what you know, it’s who you know.”  I know Jesus.  He loves me and died for me.  

You think I get better at this thing called “faith.”  I was asked to teach after I finished ministry school. My initial reaction was run!  My heart was racing through the roof.  I could feel my whole body shaking.  God was stretching my faith but I was afraid the rubber band would snap.

God was asking me to step out of the boat and put my trust and faith in Him.  I learned it’s not about me, my abilities or lack of.  It’s His confidence that gives me strength and courage to write and teach.  It’s saying yes to the call.  

Peter and Andrew immediately left their fishing nets and accepted the call to follow Jesus.  Joshua and Caleb weren’t afraid of dying because they believed God would help them conquer their enemies.  They accepted the call.  It’s not about being the smartest, fastest and prettiest.  It’s about who’s willing and obedient to accept the call.

Faith is not a one-time deal.  It’s not like you can say, “Hey God, remember me, yeah I stretched my faith last week.  You can skip me this time.  Yeap, I already did it.  You can check me off the list.”  Nope, faith is a continual cycle.  You’re not someone who God checks off His list.  You are important to Him.  God rewards those who earnestly seek him and believe in Him.  

Once again, my faith is being tested.  I’ve been praying for a teaching position for the last two years and finally I was offered a position.  Initially, I was jumping for joy then I got hit with an obstacle and it looked like it could all slip through my fingers.  I prayed for direction and guidance.  I’m believing God will work this out.  By faith, I booked my ticket and started to put things in action so when all goes through, I’ll be ready to accept the call.

“Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.”  (Hebrews 11:1 NKJV)