Now that the world is opening back up, there is a hopefulness sprouting as the week comes to an end. You can now ask people what they have planned for the weekend and it doesn’t consist of binging a Netflix series, baking banana bread, or buying another plant for their home which has officially turned into a mini garden. Brunch plans are being made and dinner dates are being created. The warming weather helps and there is a tentative excitement starting to fill calendars all over the country.
Recently, I felt a tinge of excitement when simply joining a friend for dinner. I sat in my favorite jeans (that still fit), heels with freshly pedicured toes, and wore lipstick on my lips (for viewing when my mask came off for dinner), and enjoyed an evening out with good food and good conversation. It felt like old times (which means it felt like 2019).
We were engaged in deep conversation about the Groundhog Day effect that represents our lives right now, finding a way to not work all day (and not feel guilty about it), trying to fight off the COVID weight while staying abreast of all the issues happening in the world.
But one topic of conversation stood out the most. My friend posed an interesting question concerning something I am waiting on God to manifest in my life, and it made me pause and truly think. Therefore, I want to pose it to each of you reading this blog:
On a scale of 1 to 10, with ten being the highest, where is your faith concerning the “thing” you have been praying about?
The “thing” could represent a multitude of subjects. For some, it’s the new job. Whether working remotely or commuting, you crave a fulfilling and inspiring career change. You want to feel appreciated and recognized for your work and right now, you’re ten seconds from tossing your laptop out your car window.
For others, the “thing” is a new home. It is definitely a seller’s market so while interest rates are low, home prices have sky-rocketed. You’ve been praying about more space or a better neighborhood with the top schools, yet the price seems unbelievably high, and you have been outbid on three homes already.
Some of you have been praying for a baby. It seems like quarantine baby pictures are popping up all over social media. You can’t help but wonder if anyone else has had two miscarriages like you, or if they too are taking expensive ovulation injections but continue seeing negative results on the home pregnancy tests.
Yes, the world is opening up but a part of you feels like your world remains at a standstill because you are still waiting for the manifestation of your heart’s desire.
Where are you on your faith scale?
When I answered my friend, my faith was a 10. While nothing indicated that the promise was going to happen any time soon, I knew not to look at my reality and instead believe God’s truth. I was feeling confident and hopeful.
However, this week, I’ve been contending for my faith to stay above a six. Whether it’s an overwhelming to-do list for work, a restless night’s sleep, or an overall weariness – I’ve had to dig into the word of God to ensure my circumstance didn’t deter my faith.
To gain strength in my fight, I found Bible verses to meditate on to get me back up to a ten. My favorite verse was Hebrews 11:1 in The Passion Translation, “Now faith brings our hopes into reality and becomes the foundation needed to acquire the things we long for. It is all the evidence required to prove what is still unseen.”
Read that again.
Let those words sink in. Faith in God brings your hopes into reality – not your complaining, worrying, or fussing. Faith becomes the foundation needed to stand firm as we hope for the things we cannot see. That faith is all the evidence we need until we see the fulfillment of His promise in our life.
Remember, it is impossible to please God without faith.
As you take inventory of where your faith sits on a scale of 1 to 10, don’t beat yourself up if you can’t say you’re at a 10 every day. Instead, equip yourself to get there. Measure where you are and find evidence in God’s word that will help you get to a ten. Jesus said all we need is a mustard seed of faith.
Your faith that God will open a new door concerning your career may be at a two right now. Yep, that probably feels like a mustard seed, if that. Go find eight Bible verses about how God delivers on His promises. You can start by reading in Genesis about how God favored Joseph when he was a slave working for Potiphar and was eventually promoted to Pharaoh’s right-hand leader.
Your faith about getting married may be a five and you are tempted to text an old boo for attention. You’re hoping that if you take action, it will propel your faith to a seven. Don’t do it. God doesn’t need your help. Plus, your “help” is actually you trying to control the situation. Instead, find and meditate on five Bible verses about how God strategically placed Ruth in Boaz’s field to glean and he became her kinsman-redeemer. Or read about how Abraham’s servant found a bride for Isaac at a well and realize that God will orchestrate you meeting your spouse at the right place and the right time.
God’s word is full of ways to build your faith. Fill yourself with Biblical encouragement until your faith becomes the foundation needed to acquire the things you long for. Faith is a journey, one God is willing to walk with us no matter where we fall on the scale. Just don’t give up.
God, thank you for the gift of faith. Sometimes, we feel weary and our faith dips down low. Thank you for not condemning us and equipping us instead with your word to continue to fight the good fight of faith. I ask that you send encouragement to those who need it as they wait on the manifestation of your promise in their life. Thank you for being incapable of lying. We know your promises are true and as our Creator, we can confidently put our trust in you. Amen.
