Dusty's sermon on January 4th was inspiring. He talked about the need to be “born again” on a regular basis in order to be more aware of what God is up to and how we can be a part of it. He presented 4 components to this kind of life style:
1. Honesty with ourselves
2. Humility toward God
3. Receptivity to change
4. Yielding to the Holy Spirit
Dusty also made a bold statement. He said, “God’s territory is beyond our logic.” Another way to say this is that God’s territory usually doesn't make sense to us. As humans, we like things to make sense. Things that don't make sense can be frightening. How many of us would have gotten out of the boat with Peter? I would like to think that I would have, but I'm not sure. Reality can be very persuasive.
On November 20th last year, Rabbi Jonathan Cahn posted an encouraging word on Facebook about Hebrews 11:1-3. He said, “Don't be bound by the reality of the situation, live by faith, believe before seeing, overcome the world.” He continued, “God is not realistic. If Abraham was a realist, he wouldn't have believed God. If Moses were a realist, he wouldn't have left Egypt. If David were a realist, he would never have slain Goliath. If Peter were a realist, he never would have walked on water. Don't go by reality, go by God...believe what you do not see. Treat that which is not as if it were”
Now, while I'm not advocating wholesale delusion, I am suggesting that we embrace a faith like Peter's and get out of the boat. So, is there something that the Lord is nudging you about? Is He asking you to do something that doesn't make sense? Remember, the Lord knows how your mind works – He created you. Just ask Him, “Lord if this is you would you send confirmation?” Be honest with yourself about the possible limitations you've put on God. Humble yourself and confess your unbelief to God. Be willing to change what you believe and yield control of your life and your thoughts to the Holy Spirit.
Start small and begin to exercise the muscle of faith. And someday you may find yourself walking on water.
Hebrews 11:1-3 NLT
“Faith is the confidence that what we hope for will actually happen; it gives us assurance about things we cannot see. Through their faith, the people in days of old earned a good reputation. By faith we understand that the entire universe was formed at God's command, that what we now see did not come from anything that can be seen.”