Not by sight

¹ "Now faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see. ² This is what the ancients were commended for.

 ³ By faith we understand that the universe was formed at God's command, so that what is seen was not made out of what was visible."

Hebrews 11:1-3

I WANT to live a life of faith! I do NOT want to live a predictable and safe religious life. I DO NOT want to be that person who goes to church, does good things, says the right things and makes decisions based on what makes sense. That is NOT the life that I want to live!

I want a life that SCREAMS to the world, that I walk by faith. That I trust God completely! What does that mean exactly? Living by faith is saying yes to those things that just do not make any sense. It is having an intimate relationship with God where I am able to recognize His voice above the noise. Noise being EVERYTHING else but God's voice. Now how do I get there?

"Faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance is what we do not see". Faith is being confident in the character of God to do what He promises He will do. Hope is the assurance of being confident in God's character. To walk by faith, to live by faith, I have to say "yes" even if I cannot see what I am saying "yes" to at the moment. I have to stop looking at my circumstances and look at who God is. It is trusting Him and not the circumstances of life. It is remembering that He knows all things from beginning to end. Nothing surprises Him. NOTHING!!

When God gives me a vision, I have to walk in the reality of it, trusting in Him. I have to release all control and surrender every part of myself to Him. As long as I remain desperate, I will depend on Him. There is no desperation when I hold all the cards and I choose the direction I will go. I have to trade in the control in order to experience freedom, fulfillment and purpose in my life. Faith is about SURRENDER!!

Back in the 90's, this song by Clay Crosse was one of my very favorites. I did not understand then what I do now about surrender and this morning, when God brought this song to mind, I experienced its meaning and a brand new way. God is up to something and I wait with anticipation for what comes next J

I Surrender All

I have wrestled in the darkness of this lonely pilgrim land
Raising strong and mighty fortresses that I alone command
But these castles I've constructed by the strength of my own hand
Are just temporary kingdoms on foundations made of sand

In the middle of the battle I believe I've finally found
I'll never know the thrill of victory 'til I'm willing to lay down
All my weapons of defense and earthly strategies of war
So I'm laying down my arms and running helplessly to Yours

I surrender all my silent hopes and dreams
Though the price to follow costs me everything
I surrender all my human soul desires
If sacrifice requires
That all my kingdoms fall
I surrender all

If the source of my ambition is the treasure I obtain
If I measure my successes on a scale of earthly gain
If the focus of my vision is the status I attain
My accomplishments are worthless and my efforts are in vain

So I lay aside these trophies to pursue a higher crown
And should You choose somehow to use the life I willingly lay
down
I surrender all the triumph for it's only by Your grace
I relinquish all the glory, I surrender all the praise

Everything I am, all I've done, and all I've known
Now belongs to You, the life I live is not my own
Just as Abraham laid Isaac on the sacrificial fire
If all I have is all that You desire
I surrender all