I have been talking to my darling sixth-grade girls about spiritual gifts. We all have them – every single one of us. They are given to us at the moment we ask Jesus Christ to be the Lord of our lives. Sometimes the gifts we are given seem unrelated to our natural talents. I am, by nature, a very shy person. If you met me for the first time, you might be very surprised at how much I keep to myself. I never dreamed that the Lord would allow me to do some of the things He has empowered me to do.
I think some of the most delightful people to be around are those with the gift of faith. My father has this spiritual gift. Unfortunately, spiritual gifts are not genetic. I have to beg God for the ability to see my circumstances through the eyes of faith. I tend to be an Eeyore instead of a Tigger. I tend to see the glass half-empty rather than half-full. I imagine the worst case scenario rather than expecting the best to happen.
The Lord has Rob and me in a situation that DEMANDS faith to be able to traverse the path. We cannot walk with our natural eyes because the path is dark and twisting. Yes, the God’s Word is a lamp to that path, but it seems as though the lamp only illuminates the very next step ahead of us. Um…I’d rather have enough light to see about a mile or so down the road. That is not happening and panic is never far away in the shadows.
I always have a great plan for God to rescue me out of my discomfort. I was telling Him for the umpteenth time how wonderful it would be if He changed this or that. In mid-conversation, He stopped me and said, “Shawn, you have asked Me to show Myself to you. You have said you have given all of you to Me. You want the rewards that come from a life lived by faith, but you don’t want to have to exercise any faith. The only way to increase your faith in Me right now is for Me to have you walk that path where I only reveal the very next step and nothing more. Can you trust Me?”
“…But if you can do anything, take pity on us and help us.”
“‘If you can’?” said Jesus. “Everything is possible for one who believes.”
Immediately the boy’s father exclaimed, “I do believe; help me overcome my unbelief!”
Mark 9:22-24
Lord, this is the prayer of my heart! I trust You. Help me overcome my unbelief!
"Grounds for trust [in God] are tilled by experience." from Beth Moore's "Beloved Disciple" study.
Shawn, our unbelief is what makes us human. Asking God for help in overcoming our disbelief is what makes our faith.
Glad we're both being "tilled."
Love you, sis.