A loved one essentially told me long ago we only see the little picture; God sees the whole picture. How true this is. And I can’t tell you how many times in my life and ministry God has called me to do something that makes absolutely no sense, seems impossible, looks ridiculous, etc. because with my human eyes I simply can’t see God’s will, His plan, His purpose, how things are going to unfold, how things are going to turn out, how I am going to make it, etc. But God has so clearly spoken to my heart, and I have been so convinced of His will, and I so understand Jesus is Lord and that I am to obey Him, that I have humbled myself and made the decision to obey Him even when only God can see. In His strength, mind you. Most assuredly not in my weakness.
Examples? Selling my little house not far from the ocean, giving away most of my belongings, and hitting the road full-time for Jesus and ministry with what then were 6 ministry senior and special needs rescued dogs. Going to locations in my approximately 5 years now on the road for Jesus that made absolutely no sense to go to particularly given the distance and sacrifice involved. Writing and publishing countless messages and numerous books God put on my heart to write that seemed like a waste of time to write given in the world’s eyes I am an unknown writer who does virtually no marketing, advertising, and publicity. Reaching out to people by phone God put on my heart when I had no understanding and sometimes no desire to reach out. Making decisions that went totally contrary to what I felt I should do. Oh, the list goes on.
And I can’t tell you how many times God has made abundantly clear ultimately that He had a significant and important purpose and outcome in His will for me if only I would humble myself and obey. God could see the whole picture in all of this and in all of my life and in all of our lives and in all this world despite how very little we ourselves can see. Oh, how we must humble ourselves and obey Him as we learn to choose to put our trust in Him moment by moment, step by step, breath by breath.
Oh, how much I would miss in life if I lived according to what I can see, to what I understand, to what I feel and think, to others’ opinions, and to the devil’s temptations. But God is teaching me to live by faith in Him. And that even when I cannot see, it’s okay. He can see for me. My job is to simply humble myself and submit to Him.
How about you, friend? Are you living according to what you see and understand and what your flesh desires? Or, are you learning as I am to live by faith? To pray and hear God and follow Him even when you can’t see where He is leading you? Please join me in learning to live by faith. To walk by faith. The way we are called to live. Trusting in Him. Obedient to Him. Believing He will lead and guide and provide for us all along the way when we put our faith in Him. Amen!
“For we walk by faith, not by sight.” 2 Corinthians 5:7 NKJV
I love how Abraham is described. Talk about faith!
“By faith Abraham obeyed when he was called to go out to the place which he would receive as an inheritance. And he went out, not knowing where he was going. By faith he dwelt in the land of promise as in a foreign country, dwelling in tents with Isaac and Jacob, the heirs with him of the same promise; for he waited for the city which has foundations, whose builder and maker is God.” Hebrews 11:8-10 NKJV
And here are some very well-known verses to encourage you.
“Trust in the LORD with all your heart, And lean not on your own understanding; In all your ways acknowledge Him, And He shall direct your paths.” Proverbs 3:5-6 NKJV
My greatest encouragement to you is this. Find encouragement in the Lord and in the Bible and in developing a deeply intimate, deeply beautiful, ever-deepening forever relationship with the Lord!
“But without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him.” Hebrews 11:6 NKJV