by Brian Walters, Director of Adult Ministries @ MBC Loudoun

“And without faith it is impossible to please him, for whoever would draw near to God must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who seek him” (Hebrews 11:6).

I understand true faith believes that the God of Scripture is the only real and true God that actually exists and I understand we please God by walking with Him in faith. But how do we know when we are supposed to step out in faith?  Do we step out only after praying, or only when the Holy Spirit leads us to step out?

Hebrews 11 goes on to list Noah, Abraham, Sarah, Gideon, Samuel, etc., as examples of men and women who did step out in faith and took risks for God. Did you ever imagine what people of Noah’s time thought of him as he was building this huge boat?  There is no biblical proof of this, but I’m sure people talked behind his back saying this guy is a nut job, crazy and out of his mind to be spending all of his time building a boat. But Noah continued to do what God called him to do (Gen. 6:14-22). Noah followed God regardless of what others thought about him or said about him.

When I accepted my position at MBC Loudoun many people told me I was crazy.  They told me I was insane for leaving a “safe” government job for a “non-profit” job.  The told me I was nuts for depending upon people’s tithing for my salary to be paid.  Again and again the world was telling me this was a huge risk and my flesh was screaming don’t do it, but God was calling me to take this job so I chose to follow Him.  I was absolutely scared but God has been faithful to provide everything AnnieLaurie and I need (Psalm 55:22; Phil. 4:19).

Just like Noah we too need to follow God’s guidance and because of Jesus’ death and resurrection, we believers receive this guidance through the prompting and directing of the Holy Spirit (Romans 8:26; 1 Cor. 2:6-16).  So the answer to above questions is we need to do what the Holy Spirit directs us to do no matter how uncomfortable it may make us.  While following the Spirit’s guidance we need to cover what God asks us in prayer and we need to pray with full confidence that God will answer this prayer.  Also, if we believe we are to do something without the Lord’s prompting we should definitely lift that up to God to make sure we are doing His Will and not what our flesh wants us to do.

I’ve heard many times the best place to be is in the will of God and this is so true. Remember, our time in this world is short and yes some risks God calls us to take may be very scary, but if we search our heart we will see the reasons we are scared are of the flesh and not of the Lord (John 14:27).  Be bold brothers and sisters and take those leaps of faiths God is calling you too.