Faith is the belief in things seen and unseen. Sounds simple and yet it is an intricate dance of being in step and at times needing to find the correct rhythm. When in step faith, is beautiful and graceful. When out of step there is stumbling and nothing seems to come easy. I have discovered that I stumble most when I try to lead instead of allowing my partner of faith to lead me. When I try to control things the way I want them to be I am out of sync with faith. I need to let go.

The biggest thing is in trusting. The funny thing is that my partner has proven Himself time and time again and yet I still find myself wanting to take control. When is it that I will find myself trusting so implicitly that I will never want to take the lead again? As a friend of mine has said before I want the answer burned in my lawn when I wake up in the morning. Who doesn’t crave the neon flashing sign that tells you directly where you need to go and when. The amazing thing is that many times, I think we get the sign but we are unable to see it. We are not observant enough, not intune enough or resist the signs we get thinking that we know better. I have been struggling with some personal things lately and have really been looking for direction. In these moments of despair I have received signs. Maybe not neon and flashing but they have been there and I have been fortunate enough to recognize them. They are as good as God whispering in your ear. I was driving one day and the car in front of me had a license plate that read B Still. I thought wow! This message is meant just for me and on the way back from my return trip there was a different car in front of me with a license plate that read Trust. Again, another aha moment and I have tried to take these messages and make them a part of me because I know in my heart of hearts that God sent them to me at the exact moment and time that I needed to have them.

Maybe the most challenging thing about faith is believing and trusting in what you cannot see. If you see it literally raining cats and dogs you have no choice but to believe. It is either that or you have momentarily gone crazy! But if someone just tells you that they saw it raining cats and dogs my guess is that you would be a doubting Thomas. To believe in the unknown and unseen is to literally take a leap of faith and yet this is exactly what God asks us to do and expects us to do. Can you do it? It may come relatively easy one day or one hour and the next not so much. It takes commitment and more than likely also requires you to recommit to it daily if not hourly.

A friend recently shared with me her story of faith and it is so truly amazing and beautiful that I feel compelled to share it with you. She has said that she has trouble receiving and has been asking God to help her with this process of being able to receive. Ironically she was at the store shopping and by happen chance there were two older gentlemen who were having a conversation and she got pulled into the conversation with them. It actually lead to a topic of what kind of fish was best without tasting fishy. One of the gentlemen asked her to follow him and he would show her the best kind. He did and he also took two 5.00 bills out of his wallet to give to her to pay for it. She started to refuse and the man said “Can you receive my gift” She said at that moment she knew that this was an answer to her prayer and she graciously accepted the man’s gift. She was intuned and aware and she received a precious and beautiful gift from a messenger of God. Her faith brought her to this and what an amazing and wonderful journey it can be. The interesting part of the story is not only did she need to be observant and watchful but the man also had to heed God’s call and do what was being asked of him. It took faith for both of them. And I dare say in that moment both of their faiths grew and were strengthened.

Sometimes I think God must be looking at me and saying “Debbie, how many signs must I give you? Why do you keep fighting against me? Trust me. Implicitly and whole heartedly turn your life over to me and I will take care of you.” One morning I was experiencing worry and despair and my morning reading for the day was Luke 12:22-28 Which read, Then He said to His disciples, “Therefore I say to you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat: nor about the body, what you will put on. Life is more than food, and the body is more than clothing. Consider the ravens, for they neither sow nor reap, which have neither storehouse nor barn; and God feeds them. Of how much more value are you than the birds? And which of you by worrying can add one cubit to his stature. If you then are not able to do the least, why are you anxious for the rest? Consider the lilies, how they grow: they neither toil nor spin; and yet I say to you, even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these. If then God so clothes the grass, which today is in the field and tomorrow is thrown into the oven, how much more will He clothe you, O you of little faith? Yes, indeed I of little faith. Thank you for the reminder to bring me back to faith. To once again place my hand in Yours and let You lead me in this dance of life and faith.

Where are you at in your dance of faith? Have you stumbled? Have you tried to take the lead and are now out of step with the music? Do not fear for God knows your troubles, He hears you and He is waiting for you to let go, allow the music to take you and lead you back to your faith. Let Him show you where you need to go. Listen, be awake and aware. Hear the music and let your faith take the lead and you will find yourself in a place you have never been before. It will be grander and more humbling than anywhere you ever been.