This lesson is titled, “A Step Worth Taking”.  A story about trust, faith, and God’s immutable attributes.  Liam, the catalyst of this lesson, was about 2 at the time.  By this time he was old enough to run around and to be familiar enough with the consequences of falling down.  Also, he had a habit of asking me to pick him up, throw him in the air, and then catch him.  I guess one could say I may have encouraged this.

This story occurred while volunteering at a Christmas event.  The family had come together to participate in a charity event we organized.  The event hosted low income families from the area for lunch and after we distributed toys to their children.  The venue was a local library lecture room which had a stage at one end.  From there we gave a talk, read the bible, and handed out the toys.  My brother’s children, six of them, had come to help with the event.

After the event and during clean up, the smaller kids went on the stage mostly to run around in pretend games.  My brother and I stepped in front of the stage which was about 3 feet high.  During conversation, I turned to talk such that the stage was to my left side.  Liam, then running around, noticed me and came to the edge of the stage holding his arms out.  This was the unspoken cue to pick him up.  I turned to face him, picked him up, spun around, and put him back on the stage.  Staggering a little he ran around until he decided he wanted to spin again.  He was enjoying our game and, of course, we repeated the dance.  It was like winding a toy that came back when it needed more winding.  Probably at the fourth time some dynamics changed considering the next round after did not play out like before.  The prior times he would pause at the edge possibly gathering if I noticed him.  So there I was facing my brother, turned from the stage, yet conscious Liam maybe coming around.  And then he did, except this time running nonstop off the stage.

There is this term named “natural laws.”  These are regarded as unchanging principles in which the natural order operates.  These laws allow us to understand the world around us.  They explain why things happen.  A very simplistic example is that an unsupported object will fall and experience consequences of the fall.  Under average conditions would you expect different?  Natural law also deals with morality.  A very simplistic example would be that if someone you love is in immediate physical danger you would act to help them.

These natural laws were put in place by someone who Himself has unchanging principles.  I am not alluding to whom; I know God set these principles in place.  Point is, just as I accept the principles of natural law, I must more accept the immutable attributes of God.  (James 1:17)  Take this for example.  The people of Israel received provision during their travel through the wilderness.  Time and time again God proved His unchanging character by keeping His loving promises to them. Why would anyone expect His promises of provision, not just for nourishment but also for rest, to change or not be met?  But for those whose heart remained hardened, the book of Hebrews says that their unbelief was a lack of obedience to God.

And to whom did He swear that they would not enter His rest, but to those who did not obey? So we see that they could not enter in because of unbelief.
– Hebrews 3:18-19

I have experienced in my life and by observing others’ lives, how grace is a sustaining covering.  This grace comes to us as a promised provision.  It is not some sort of protective shield that keeps out troubles.  Rather a hope that when troubles come there will be someone with you who has the strength to sustain you through them.  By walking them out with God by His grace you grow more trustful of the God who loves you.  From doubt, trust cannot flourish.  In relating to God and others, apprehension creates a wedge within the relationships and hinders the dynamics.  A steadfast heart and humble spirit recognizes God’s intervention for us and from there we can begin to expect trust in Him to grow.  Trust in Him helps us with trust in others.  This trust, which must then become faith, is the key point of the lesson.

Clearing the stage and without a pause, this time Liam ran right off the edge.  Now, I was noticing his approach from the corner of my eye but I was not expecting he would faithfully run off the edge.  I caught him in mid air, spun him around, set him on the stage, and released him on last time to continue his dizzy fun.  Why would he expect anything different?  He never knew I was not fully ready for his leap.  But as for me and my brother, we knew better.  I said to my brother, “Did you see that, he just kept going”.  “Yeah”, he said, “he trusts you.”  Trust gave him the faith to jump.

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Whatever area of your life God is blessing, have faith to jump at the opportunities that open up.  But also, let your heart be postured to see His blessings.  In turn, His blessings will build up your trust in Him.  God participates with us by The Holy Spirit who works in us, just as I was participating with Liam in our game.  If you should not jump, you can trust God to keep you from jumping.  It is disobedience, or in other words, lack of faith, which causes the fall.  By this I don’t mean there will not be what seems like failures or disappointments. What I mean is to fall out of grace.  Grace, the one thing we all need to get through anything.

I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.
– Philippians 4:13

I must increase my trust in God so my faith in Him will grow.  Trust must at least be at the level of belief I have in the natural laws and principles.  In essence, what do I believe about God; is it His will to let me fall or does He want to catch me and then bless me to where I may go?   Doubt questions God and dissolves our footing.

And immediately Jesus stretched out His hand and caught him, and said to him, “O you of little faith, why did you doubt?
– Matthew 14:31

Faith draws out truth into our natural lives.  Steps of faith walk on sustaining power, and they are worth taking.

And Peter answered Him and said, “Lord, if it is You, command me to come to You on the water.” So He said, “Come.” And when Peter had come down out of the boat, he walked on the water to go to Jesus.
– Matthew 14:28-29

 

These segments are part of the “Little Big Steps” series.  Read about it here.