HEBREWS 11:6

And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to Him must believe that He exists and the He rewards those who earnestly seek Him (Hebrews 11:6).

A week ago I wrote a blog post about trying to make a decision and needing God's wisdom. It was a ministry opportunity that included a financial risk. As I was praying, a song came on the radio -- Britt Nicole's "Walk on the Water." As I mentioned in the previous post, the lyrics seem to indicate that our faith required some risk taking.

Yesterday, the guest speaker at church preached a similar message. That our Christian faith should be "dangerous." Danger in the sense that we are always trying something new...taking risks.

So we need to take risks. But first we have to have faith. That got me to thinking. Do I even have faith? Do I even possess enough faith to live up to Hebrews 11:6? Do I demonstrate enough faith to please God?

I tried to think of times in my life when I have demonstrated faith. I had a hard time coming up with examples. Sad but true. The one thing in my life that routinely requires me to demonstrate faith is when I tithe.

Because I am unemployed right now, money is tight. But money has always been tight. Chances are money will always be tight. That is just the nature of life. So tithing is always a risk. There is always uncertainty about paying the bills and wondering if that tithe money could be better spent elsewhere-- my son needs new shoes. The car tires are fraying. Our bathroom tile is bulging. Yet God commands me to give Him ten percent of my income. And I want to be obedient. I want to earnestly seek Him. So I do it. And in doing so, I exercise my faith.

I am grateful for that one area of my life where my desire to be obedient allows me to display faith. But faith is definitely a muscle that needs more exercise if I want to live up to Hebrews 11:6 and please God.