Every time I close my eyes at night to sleep, I exercise faith.
When I turn the key in the car ignition.
When I kiss my husband “goodbye” in the morning.
When i lace up my running shoes to jog.
Faith.
I usually think Faith is some huge, hard-to-describe thing that I’ve never really seen, but am somehow expected to show, use, have… It’s like the Grand Canyon or the Ocean if you’ve never been to visit. Or Mount Everest (sometimes I wonder if its really there between Nepal and Tibet or if film, photos and people lie to me).
But Faith can be small too.
When I close my eyes at night, I trust that I will survive until morning: my heart won’t stop, a wildfire won’t overtake my house, no one will break in.
When I turn my car on I exercise small bits of faith that we will get to our destination in one piece, that a happy-hour drunk won’t sideswipe me and my kids, and that my car will actually start. Faith.
But I never think about these these things, and I never think about this kind of Faith being, in actuality, real Faith. The kind of Grand Canyon Faith, Ocean Faith, Mount Everest Faith.
Lacing up my running shoes (and trusting that I can run to the top of the hill) is small Faith, but it is Faith.
Today I realized that it doesn’t feel like Faith if I move through my day without realizing I am trusting God and others for every safe and sound moment of my life. When I sit and think about how much I’m not in control, my Faith grows. Little pieces at a time.
I understand that
I’m watched over.
I’m protected.
I’m cared for.
And because of that I trust. Recognizing it brings me closer to that Grand Canyon type of Faith.
The Faith that moves Mount Everest.
What makes you realize you’re not in control? Do you have Faith today?
My husband uses the car analogy as well when he is explaining faith. I like this post, Sarah!
smooches,
Larie
What I love about God is that He asks that we only have enough to come to Him, the size of a mustard seed. He takes the little we have and multiplies it, much like the loaves and fishes…. and then HE moves the mountains of our lives.
I love that in Galatians it says that I have been crucified with Christ and no longer live… He now lives in me. The life I live, I live by the faith OF the Son of God who loved me and gave Himself for me. It’s not MY faith I live by, it’s HIS. That takes an enormous load off of me to have “enough” faith….
What you have written here is real truth…. we trust…. Everything comes back to trust, I believe.
Great post, Sarah,
Julie
I love that, like it says in Hebrews, the faith itself is a gift…we can’t even take credit for it! We are totally dependent on Him for everything — I’m glad
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I had to exercise my faith in the providence and wisdom of God this morning when my husband (who usually calls when he arrives at the train station and hour and half away) didn’t call.
The fears and nightmares that rushed immediately before my mind pushed me right to the throne of God where I told Him I didnt deserve to ask anything of Him but my faith & the Holy Spirit told me that He was the only one I could come to my my fears and requests. I prayed for forgiveness for my sins, trust in the Lord’s wisdom and protection for my husband.
He (my husband) just called to let me know he was okay (he’s now made his 3 1/2 hour commute to school safely) He didn’t call from the train station because his calling card didn’t work, and he couldn’t call collect for some reason.
It’s okay though because the whole situation just made me put my trust in God and believe Him to do what was right and good, He also answered my prayers, what a beautiful way to start a day, knowing that the Lord is powerful, real and trustworthy.
Having to rely on a husband {who has recently told me that he might not want to fight for our marriage} for a paycheck to pay our bills reminds me that I am not in control. Not knowing if he will decide to engage in our marriage reminds me that I am not in control. Having to rely on God’s strength, patience and love because I am nigh unto fresh out of those reminds me that I am not in control.
I am having faith today that God loves me with a never-ending, unshakeable, protective love that will never leave or forsake me.
Or at least I’m trying to…
Hmmmm… I blogged about a different kind of mountain today. On a different note, I liked this, post Sarah. You’re right, faith, isn’t just about the big stuff. But let me introduce another angle: Our family is learning that faith isn’t so much trusting that bad things won’t happen (Noah got a spiral fracture in his fibia and tibia this past Sunday and is casted from his hip to his toes). My faith is more in a person than an outcome, know what I mean? I must trust God even IF wildfires overtake my house or if we get burglarized or if my son has a terrible accident in a prime time of his life. My faith is not a guarantee that painful things won’t occur, and my faith isn’t weak if they do occur. I know that’s not what you’re saying, because I know your faith has survived and even thrived through painful seasons too. Just my two cents.
As always Sarah, thank you. I needed to hear this.
I am going through a breakup right now and it is such a struggle. I’m so grateful for the strength of our heavenly father to keep me committed to my choice. I so enjoyed your post on faith. Thank you
I have seen my faith grow as I’ve gone through the different seasons of my life. I came to Christ in youth group at age 16. Then as I went to college, then getting married, then moving around and leaving my hometown (it was easier when I was younger). My biggest step was when I dropped my youngest daughter off in OR – so far away from my watching eyes, my open arms – total, TOTAL faith and realizing even more I’M NOT IN CONTROL! And now, leaving my childhood town to the big LA area. Baby steps is where I’m at. I’ve slowly been stepping out and getting involved with Women’s Bible Study and now Moms In Touch. And faith, knowing God will provide the right job for me – and will give me the desires of my heart. You remember how faithful God has been (yes, even in the bad times) in the past and can trust Him even more and more. I love how He loves us and cares for us unconditionally.
sending my little guy to school everyday, all day—-letting go and letting God take care of him and trusting his teachers and others whom God has brought into his life takes faith for me!
Leading a study in Crazy Love right now. Sounds like you’ve been sitting it! If my world was totally stable, totally without bumps in the road, I wouldn’t be dependent on God.
Great post!
There are so many little things I do that I’m finding out contain faith. Sending my love with my husband as he walks out the door for work everyday. I have faith he’ll come home safely. Watching my kids, letting them run a little ways ahead of me, I have faith something other than their mama is watching out for them.
You’ve got me coming back every day for more great reads, love your stuff
As always, great post. Thanks so much.
Having faith when things go wrong is where I’m at, relating to some of the writings above. When everything in your life seems to have been turned around and upside down. Having faith IN SPITE OF, knowing that God is still holding on to me. I have faith in God…but does he really care about ‘my stuff.’ That’s the faith of moving mountains. How do I get more of that?
Great stuff to remember on days that I feel like I have so little faith.
Yes, people exercise faith more often than they realize don’t they? Thank you for showing me that. :O)
My babies (11 and 8, respectively, but YES still my babies) are spending the night away from home. At my wonderful and completely trustworthy parents house, but away, none-the-less. That takes faith for me. I think college is gonna take Mt. Everest type faith.
thank you
Hi sarah, i came upon your website from another blog i always read, justanotherjen.com. I started out reading the part 1 story and continued reading all of your blogs. I think you are an amazing women and you give such encouragement. Your blogs are filled with hope and i see Jesus all over them. Im only 18 and struggling to keep my faith in Christ, its so difficult in this day and age to be a follower, but with the grace of God i know i can do it. Thank you so much for all your writings, i know its God living in you. God bless you and your family.