RELIGIOUS RISKS

KEY VERSE:

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

ESSAY:

A while back I wrote an article 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. Unfortunately, I do not have permission to post the lyrics in this book, but you can look them up online. In my judgment, the lyrics seem to indicate that our faith requires some risk taking.

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

            So, we need to take risks. But first we must 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. Many of us live paycheck to paycheck. 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 essential oils to help control his behavior. How are we going to pay for his autism medication? Can we afford his additional therapy appointments?

 In addition to Parker’s special needs’ expenses, the car tires are fraying. Our bathroom tile is bulging. The garbage disposal is broken. 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.

When I fail to exercise my faith, I often get overtaken by panic and anxiety issues. My anxiety rises to the surface when I fail to trust that God is in control of what I cannot control. Faith reminds me that God is in the unknown.

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

APPLICATION:

            When I searched my heart and picked my brain, tithing was the one area of my life that I could think of where I demonstrated faith in God. What is that area or areas in your life where your faith is evident? Where does it need to become more evident? Pray about that for the next week. Ask God to increase your faith in ways that are tangible and evident to you and those around you.

This essay is from my book More Autism and Awesometism: Devotionals From and About a Special Needs Family.