Beach Musings - Substance

“Now faith is the substance (Greek = support) of things hoped (Greek = expect) for, the evidence (Greek = conviction) of things (Greek = deeds) not seen.” Hebrews 11:1

Lots of thing wash up on the beach (like me in a prior post, Return post) sometimes they are recognizable and sometimes…not so much (Steadfast post).

Faith seems like that sometimes, circumstances wash up on the shore of our lives and test what we believe about God’s goodness. For me, it’s a hurt ankle. My injury is teaching me about stepping out in faith. You see, I really don’t trust  my next step. I wonder if I’m going to lose my balance and tumble down the steps (and there are a lot of steps in this house) or fall flat on my face on the beach.

With all the limping and gimping the grace has gone out of my walk. Visions of Walter Brennan come easily to mind…I’m not having any fun with the comparison. So, my substance, and my support is shaken because of the injury and though I know I will heal…those stairs vex and challenge me. I hope that it won’t hinder the enjoyment of the last few days of my vacation but the evidence of barely walking fights against  it.

Yet, my right leg is compensating for the weakness of the other, trying to counter balance and keep me upright. I begin to see the spiritual parallels to my journey with the Lord. How there are times I’m barely limping forward yet the Father is there supporting my walk with “deeds” unseen. My faith is not dependant on my steadiness or balance…its dependent on who I believe in.

“Faith isn't the ability to believe long and far into the misty future. It's simply taking God at His Word and taking the next step.” - Joni Erickson Tada

Spiritually gimpy or walking in a place of strength, I want to believe His word. That’s the substance…the support I need to keep upright.

Blessings,
Jay