When you don't know where you are going...

     Have you felt at times like you had no idea where you were going?  Obviously, as a guy, I never admit that I don't know where I am going.  Even if I might be going the wrong direction, I hesitate to stop and ask when I am making such good time!  But of course, what I want to talk about today is not driving directions, but those times when life puts you in a spot that you don't know where you are going.
     I have a couple of thoughts to share with you from Hebrews 11.  You may recognize that chapter as the "Hall of Faith" in the Bible.  Don't get scared off by that.  It mentions a lot of people who saw amazing victories because they were willing to walk by faith: people who "conquered kingdoms, stopped the mouths of lions, quenched the power of fire, received back their dead by resurrection."  Are some of those stories you learned in Sunday school coming back to mind?  But it also mentions others, who were "tortured, suffered mocking and flogging.  They were stoned, they were sawn in two; they went about in skins of sheep and goats, destitute, afflicted and mistreated."
     I suppose you are like me in that we'd much rather be able to part of the victorious group.  We exercise faith; we trust God and we watch as the water parts in front of us and we walk across the sea on dry land.  Isn't it interesting that God doesn't promise victory as the consequence of exercising faith?  I wonder what all those authors do that imply that great faith will always result in great exploits for God?  The reality is that sometimes, walking obediently with God ends up hurting.  Just ask Jesus about that.  He didn't need faith in God; he was God.  But he died after being brutally tortured.
     About now, you are wondering if I have misnamed this blog because I am not encouraging you very much.  Hang on a minute.  Maybe there's another perspective here that is important.  There is always victory.  It just isn't immediate (or even in this life).  God sometimes does the amazing thing and sometimes gets greater glory to himself by allowing the tragedy to be part of the bigger picture of what he is doing.  The point of faith in Hebrews is not what it accomplishes in God, but what it accomplishes in me (and you).  Faith allows me to see beyond the current circumstances to the God who is in charge of them; even when I don't understand.  Faith enables me to comprehend the truth even when there appear to be "facts" that contradict it.  Faith strengthens me for the journey and it results in my obedience when everything mitigates against it.  Faith gets my attention off of myself.  Faith results in obeying God when I don't know where I am going to end up (Heb. 11: 8).  Faith results in obeying God when I don't know when the promise will take place (11:9-10).  Faith results in obeying God when I can't see how it could possibly come to pass (11:11-12).  I want to live that way.  I am consciously making decisions right now that will force me to live that way.
     What are some of the little steps we can take to increase our faith?  Here are a couple of suggestions:

• Ask God to increase your faith.  The father of the boy with a demon, when asked if he believed that Jesus could solve the problem responded: "Lord, I believe; help my unbelief."
• Review your history with God.  Chances are pretty good that he has "come through" before and given you courage in the midst of your difficulties.  It's kind of the like the little child who loves to have Daddy throw them up in the air.  If anyone else but Daddy tries to do that; they scream with fear.  When Daddy does it, they scream with delight and say "again Daddy!"
• Take little steps to practice living in this manner.  Choose to start that conversation with a friend at work about their need of Jesus.  Volunteer to serve in some capacity in your church that will put you out of your comfort zone.  Increase your giving by a percentage point this year.  You know what that step could be for you...
• Stop asking so many questions!  One of the greatest hindrances to faith is analysis.  Sure; we should think things through and honor the Lord with excellence.  But too many times we suffer from paralysis by analysis.  We want too many questions answered before we are willing to step out.  Remember the children of Israel on that one river crossing experience?  God said when the priests stand in the edge of the river; I'll take the next step.  They did; and He did, by opening up that river so the nation could walk across on dry ground.

I want to live by faith.  Here's how Oswald Chambers summed up faith: "Faith never knows where it is being led, but it loves and knows the one who is leading."  Let's love God more today and demonstrate our willingness to obey by stepping out in faith.  Hang on; it's an exciting ride.