Stepping out in faith

"The cold of space smote the unprotected tip of the planet, and he, being on that unprotected tip, received the full force of the blow. The blood of his body recoiled before it." (Jack London in "To Build a Fire")

In his short story, "To Build a Fire", London makes the point that the man's fatal flaw was that he didn't have imagination and, as a result, he underestimated the cold. Lately, every time I catch myself saying the words, "I can't imagine", I feel a subtle shiver of fear ~ Fear that my lack of imagination is limiting what God wants to do in my life; fear that I will miss opportunities to serve, opportunities to stretch, opportunities to share that which has changed me so profoundly.

In London's story, there were characters who tried to break through to the man and communicate what he needed to know to survive. The old man in the store reminded him that his spittle would freeze by the time it hit the ground if the temperature was 75 degrees below zero; his spittle froze mid-air. It didn't even make it to the ground. Clearly it was cold. But the man missed it. His arrogance clouded his mind and he missed it.

The dog that traveled with the man knew how cold it was. He didn't need thermometers or even spittle crackling in the air. He knew in the deepest part of him that he needed to be back at the camp where there was fire. He knew what the man could not, because the man thought he was in control. The dog survived.

London does not bring any theology into this story, but the reader can. When I am in communion with God, I sense deep in the deepest part of me what I am to do. But often it is much like static on a radio and tuning into those thoughts that God is giving me is challenging. I sort of hear it, then I lose it. I get a glimpse, then it's gone. But if I discipline myself in those times and get quiet, I will know. It may not be as clear as I like; but I know what God is calling me to. With fear and trepidation, I take a tiny step in the direction I am to go and the thought becomes clearer. With each tentative step, the sense of direction becomes stronger. However, with each step, the chances increase that I will become arrogant and forget what drives me; forget that it is God who directs me.

And so, I am grateful to Jack London for his story of the man with no imagination. I am grateful to be reminded that I am in danger of losing my direction if I don't stay deeply connected in step with God. Like a little girl putting her tiny feet in the giant footsteps of her father, I stretch my legs to reach the next footprint before me and trust God with all of my heart.

Beautiful Feet!

After the long flight to Johannesburg, our ankles were swollen and our spirits challenged by the unexpected delay of two days before the next flight into Mozambique. As we rested that first night, we wondered what God was doing. We had glimpses of his Divine Plan as we prayed for people God put in our path in South Africa. Once we got into Mozambique, we immediately experience a most divine appointment with the boy who had no shoes. (See Sept.10th "Coming and Going")

Tonight I was reading Romans 10 and came across one of my favorite verses: "How beautiful are the feet of those who bring the good news!"

Paul is explaining to the Romans that living the Christian lifestyle is important, but we must also "preach" the good news. Paul asks us: " . . how can they believe in the one of whom they have not heard? And how can they hear without someone preaching to them?

Evangelism is more than just living a certain way; we must not only "go", but we must "tell". Some of us are actually called to get on a plane and fly half way around the world to share the gospel with those who haven't heard it yet, but most of us are called to turn around and look to the north, the south, the east, and the west of our homes and simply ask God to direct our feet. Who is it that God is putting on your heart today? Who is it that will be forever changed because of your obedience to share the wonderful news that Jesus loves them and died so that they might be forgiven and set free from the chains that bind them? What a privilege to be a part of the transformation of a single life! Go and tell!

Beautiful Feet!

After the long flight to Johannesburg, our ankles were swollen and our spirits challenged by the unexpected delay of two days before the next flight into Mozambique. As we rested that first night, we wondered what God was doing. We had glimpses of his Divine Plan as we prayed for people God put in our path in South Africa. Once we got into Mozambique, we immediately experience a most divine appointment with the boy who had no shoes. Click here.

Tonight I was reading Romans 10 and came across one of my favorite verses: "How beautiful are the feet of those who bring the good news!"Paul is explaining to the Romans that living the Christian lifestyle is important, but we must also "preach" the good news. Paul asks us: " . . how can they believe in the one of whom they have not heard? And how can they hear without someone preaching to them? Evangelism is more than just living a certain way; we must not only "go", but we must "tell". Some of us are actually called to get on a plane and fly half way around the world to share the gospel with those who haven't heard it yet, but most of us are called to turn around and look to the north, the south, the east, and the west of our homes and simply ask God to direct our feet. Who is it that God is putting on your heart today? Who is it that will be forever changed because of your obedience to share the wonderful news that Jesus loves them and died so that they might be forgiven and set free from the chains that bind them? What a privilege to be a part of the transformation of a single life! Go and tell!