"Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen." Hebrews 11:1
I was standing with my heels backed up to the edge of a wooden platform that was suspended eight feet off the ground, with my arms crossed over my chest in the middle of a forest somewhere in the Tennessee hills.
You see, back in the day, Dana and I went almost everywhere with our church youth group, even before our boys were old enough to be a part. This trip led us to the wilderness for a few days going through exercises that was to help us grow closer and stronger as a group, learning to trust each other, counselors included. This one particular event was named 'The Trust Fall'.
Now I was all about being present with the group standing on the ground, hovered together with our arms linked in front of us yelling words of affirmation to the one standing high up on the gangplank. How easy to feel united when your safely standing shoulder to shoulder with no issue of having to free fall backwards out of a tree. When it came down to my turn, as a leader, I had to show no sign of fear and allow these crazy kids a chance of showing me I could have faith in their ability to catch me and not let me hit the ground, breaking a hip.
I remember climbing the ladder built into the side of the tree where the wooden platform was suspended and then carefully making my way out to the edge, peering over I couldn't believe the difference in how high it was looking down than being on the ground looking up. As I slowly turned my back on the crowd waiting, I did as I was told and yelled out my call to ask if they were ready to catch me and with a resounding voice they said "Yes, fall away!" I said a quick prayer and allowed myself...to fall...
Throughout our Christian life, I have used the words trust and believe without really thinking about the difference in the two. The way I understand their difference is, we believe in the light but we must trust in the dark, which is where our faith is exercised and made stronger.
Our belief in Christ is mostly built in the light. We can study the scriptures; see God work in our lives and in the world around us, all the while walking beside Him as He directs, which is building blocks for our belief in Him. He has proven Himself to be true over and over again.
"Teach me good judgment and knowledge; for I have believed thy commandments."
(Ps. 119:66)
"Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path." (Ps. 119:105)
But our trust is built mostly in the dark when we cannot see how circumstances will all work out, when we do not have all the answers and we question the outcome of a situation. When fear and uncertainty seem to have taken over your guest bedroom. That is when we must rely on the truths we learned in scripture that led us to believe in God in the first place.
"As for God, His way is perfect; The word of the Lord is proven; He is a shield to all who trust in Him." (Ps. 18:30)
Is God asking you to trust Him today, to realize that He is standing at the foot of that platform with His arms opened wide saying, "My child, fall away!"?
I love you & He loves you more!
Dear Lord, Thank You for the comfort You give through Your Word. It is a source of light when all seems dark. May I always head straight to Your life- giving source of light to gain confidence in how to live by faith, not by sight. I love You! In Jesus' name. Amen.
Comments