When taking a stand for faith, you will have to give something up— your comfort, your plans, or your way.
Even when. Every time I’ve followed faith it’s required giving up one of these things. Internally I’ve thought: “But, I want/wanted this.” This being where I realized I should not be. This being where it became increasing harder to stay because it kept me from the place, the work, the focus of where I should be. Even when I knew making the change was out of my comfort zone —read: uncertainty, the unknown, the uncomfortable. Uncertainty is a test of faith.
God leads. Will we follow? Taking the harder road for faith (making the decision and taking action), being led (spiritual conviction) and knowing it’s THE way provides for peace, even when it’s not easy. Doing something different than where you thought you would be or where you wanted to be doesn’t always feel good (aka: uncomfortable), even when you’ve made the choice voluntarily. As an example, one of these harder paths I’ve chosen is letting go of my HR career to follow God’s calling. Instead of doing comfortable HR work that I know so well, I’m dedicating time to build a faith-based speaking business in order to help others find and follow faith. It tests me daily. It challenges me — my trust in God overrules my practical brain of worldly ways. You better bet it takes a whole lotta faith — I’m speaking of the verb of faith here because action is required. Do you really believe? Faith can be easy if you just take a seat.
Faith nugget: Faith is a growing lifecycle. Deepening our personal, 1:1 relationship with God brings a re-ordering, which then moves us to following faith and living our faith with action. It’s an ongoing continuum. We are never done. As external variables move around us, we adjust. As we invite new variables into our life, we adjust. Adjusting is movement. Shifting, accepting, or moving. What do you allow in or to stay? What will move you? What will you take a stand for?
Taking a stand is not going with the flow. Following faith is not following the crowd. We can’t do both. Be hot or cold, not lukewarm. Reminder on what the Bible says: “I know your deeds, that you are neither cold nor hot. I wish you were either one or the other! So, because you are lukewarm—neither hot nor cold—I am about to spit you out of my mouth.” -Revelation 3:15-16
Following faith brings peace. It may not feel like it when we’re in the midst of the change— doing the action required— but peace will come. And no, it’s not always easy. Who said it would be? Don’t expect it. “Take up your cross.” Matthew 16:24. Have you? Will you?
Need a faith-based inspiring speaker for your event? Book Me or Refer me (share my website) for a faith-based business, conference, breakout session or keynote. Learn more what I speak about here.
Do you value what you read? If so, get my series of three photo devotional books. Already have them? Give faith and gift to a friend, colleague, and/or family member. Now more than ever people need hope, to connect deeper faith, and have our eyes opened to the surrounding presence of God.