Faith, Doubt & Obedience.

God will you catch me? Will you be there when I step out? These are question I’ve been glaring at for the last 2 months. Yes, even pastors ask those questions. Is it wrong to wonder if God will put a step underneath my feet when I close my eyes and lean forward? I don’t believe it’s a sin to doubt, but I do believe it’s a sin to disobey. That’s why I love the account in scripture where Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego are told to step into a fiery furnace by King Nebuchadnezzar. Their response is enlightening in Daniel 3, they say "O Nebuchadnezzar, our God whom we serve is able to deliver us from the burning fiery furnace, but even if he does not, let it be known to you, O king, that we do not serve your gods, nor will we worship the gold image which you have set up."

Notice there is an acknowledgment that God may not deliver them from the furnace. Really, they are aware God may not come through, even though he is powerful enough to. That’s a struggle. If God can do something why doesn’t he? My answer… who knows! I do not have a direct pipeline to God’s mind. Either way, notice they commit to obedience even if God does not come through for them. This “Preobedience” is a powerful disposition; committing to obey God no matter the outcome.

This has been my story the last few months. I was confronted by God’s Spirit that it was time for me to shake off fear, step out and trust Him. See for the last couple of years I’ve been stirring deeply with the vision and dream of planting a missional church in NY. I’ve been waiting and it has been a good season for me. But recently I’ve heard God through others and His Spirit that I need to move now, be strong and courageous and go for broke. Don't tell anyone but I’ve been back peddling, I’ve been scootching away from the brink because I was afraid; afraid of not succeeding, not making it, of being embarrassed and of failing. Well, God in his grace hunted me down on the streets of Syracuse and used His Word and a homeless dude to address my fears, my pride, and my lack of faith. So now the journey begins. My adventurous wife and I have decided to jump in head first. We resigned from our sweet positions, are selling our dream house and we are obeying. I still feel like Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego. Maybe God will let me toast, but either way… I'm listening to His voice and obeying.