We don't remember our first steps. Those first wobbly attempts in early childhood that we made to pursue a freedom we couldn't totally understand yet. But each of us, before we could walk, had to stand.... Paul and Barnabas went to a city named Lystra. There they preached the Gospel. A man who had been lame all his life (since birth) listened to the preaching. Acts 14:9-10 says: "He listened to Paul as he was speaking. Paul looked directly at him, saw that he had faith to be healed and called out, “Stand up on your feet!” At that, the man jumped up and began to walk." There are times we don't feel qualified, times we fear failing, times we feel paralyzed, times we are unsure of where the next step is. And let's be honest, maybe we have experienced a time where we couldn't even put one foot in front of the other. Maybe that time is now. A difficulty in front of us. A calling we don't feel equipped for. Our confidence shaken. Brokenness that seems despairing. During these times, God is not asking us to walk alone! He is not asking us to walk on newly healed legs of our own strength or ability! He is asking us to STAND UP. Stand up in FAITH! There is nothing the man did except have faith. It was that faith that initiated the healing. It is by our faith, and God working through us, that he equips us for tasks ahead, strengthens our wobbly legs in the midst of difficulty, and that He begins to peel back the layers of brokenness. Note above, the man didn't just stand up- he JUMPED up! This action of jumping shows exuberance and even expectation. When God calls us to move in faith, do we slowly get up, checking to make sure of the stability of our legs before walking? Or do we, like this lame man, take a leap...a jump...in faith...with the assurance that when we leap up, God will place our feet on the ground. That He will strengthen, and guide, and equip us? When God calls us to walk in faith, let's not only stand up but jump! Let us trust Him, with great assurance, to move our feet, to walk, when we thought we could not! Because, before any of us can walk, we need to stand.... I'd love to hear how you have been standing up-or jumping up-in faith!
As always, I welcome any prayer requests that you may have. Blessings, Elizabeth
14 Comments
2/7/2019 05:36:34 am
Thanks for posting- great encouragement! I am standing/jumping (soon to be) as I lead worship at church...
Reply
2/7/2019 01:17:30 pm
It is scary to jump out in faith! Thank God He equips us for the callings He sends us to.
Reply
2/7/2019 01:37:10 pm
I agree, it's so important to leap in faith. Unfortunately, we are always tentative anyway. Why is that? When the Lord says jump, shouldn't we ask "How high?". Great reminder!
Reply
2/8/2019 10:47:19 am
This really touched me! I'm stepping out in faith and doing devotional videos each week
Reply
2/10/2019 03:18:42 pm
I love the comparison that you made to our first steps. We get first steps twice, when we are born and when we are born again, so this is helpful for those who want a fresh start with God!
Reply
2/10/2019 08:17:43 pm
I’ve become the small groups coordinator at my church, which is a bit crazy, but I’m stepping out in faith that God will make up for my shortcomings and bless my best efforts. Thanks for the encouragement to stand!
Reply
Jessica Brodie
2/11/2019 10:16:42 am
You are so right that God is not asking us to walk alone. I pray we can all take the initiative and have the courage to stand. It's the first step in our faith walk!
Reply
Leave a Reply. |
Meet ElizabethWife. Mother. Writer. Photographer. Child of God. Encouraging others in faith through a lens of grace and seeing beauty in the ashes. All images and content belong to me (Blue Jean Gypsy), unless otherwise noted. You may use an image ONLY if it is linked back to this blog! Thank you for your understanding and cooperation!
Click on the above links to follow on facebook, instagram, pinterest and twitter! Archives
April 2020
CategoriesThis website uses marketing and tracking technologies. Opting out of this will opt you out of all cookies, except for those needed to run the website. Note that some products may not work as well without tracking cookies. Opt Out of Cookies |