The Process of Faith

God is a process-oriented problem solver. Take the problem that Adam and Eve created in their rebellion. God lost His reign over, intimacy with, and habitation in His people. The Bible chronicles the process He has chosen to solve that problem – culminated in Revelation 21.

And I heard a loud voice from heaven saying, “Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and He will dwell with them, and they shall be His people. God Himself will be with them and be their God. And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes; there shall be no more death, nor sorrow, nor crying. There shall be no more pain, for the former things have passed away. Revelation 21:3-4

The second half of this passage – the part we most remember – represents the problem’s solution from mankind’s perspective. It too was solved via process – particularly, the process of salvation.

As a side note: The Bible regularly speaks of God’s processes as His “ways”. God’s ways are prescription for the normal Christian life. God has a way for everything – particularly the BIG things – and He is generally clear about them.

The process of salvation includes another critical process – the process of faith. Faith is not a static element of our salvation. It is important that we understand God’s way for its growth and vitality. Let us begin with an oft quoted passage.

A Few Opening Thoughts for 2016

Before we move on with the sayings of Jesus, I would like to share a few of the revelations I have had over the Christmas holy days. Like many of you, I try to take this time for family, to reflect on the past year, and to plan for the next. This year, there has been more quality time with family and less structure around the review and planning process. [Note to self: There may be a correlation here.]

Beth and I have had much to do together (e.g., family Christmas at our house, final prep for sale of her parent’s house). I have had to take time for reflection when I could get it: Bike rides, early morning prayer, lone rides to Columbus, etc. In this limited moments, God has been faithful to share the following.

1. A word of encouragement: He has done more with inLight Consulting in 2015 than I realized. It has been a blessing to be used by God as His instrument in very different areas and ways. For example, He is using The Map Maker in geographies as diverse as West Central Georgia and Ecuador; and with groups as different as Workplace Leaders and students at a local mission school. He has positioned us for greater impact in 2016; with some very exciting challenges.
2. Revelation One: The question “But, what if He doesn’t…?” is an indicator/symptom of unbelief. In most situations, this is the thought that lies between what we say we believe, and the supernatural evidence of that belief. We don’t always say it. We don’t always know we are thinking it. But, we should be suspicious of it lurking around in our subconscious mind – in the self-talk that so often goes unnoticed. LORD God, help our unbelief.
3. Revelation Two: Our hope in Christ does not exclude our suffering with Him. Likewise, our suffering with Him should not affect our hope in Him. In fact, it will increase that hope; for in it, we lose all hope in ourselves. We must let patience accomplish its work in us: Transformation into the image of the glory of Christ.
4. Areas for Improvement: First, in the process of my own transformation, I have struggled to give consistent attention to the chaos that God has allowed in other people’s lives; chaos that He is using for their transformation. Consequently, I have not been the disciple maker and transformation agent I desire to be.

   Second, the Lord has suggested that I am waiting on Him to make my assignment safer. If this is so, I am dangerously close to seeking to save my life (Luke 17:33). How ridiculous is that? I don’t want to get into the particulars at this time; but I have to tell you that this is a most aggravating thing to discover.

I hope you will stop now and pray for me, that I might speak the mysteries of God’s kingdom boldly and with power. Pray that I would have the wisdom to invest all my talents for kingdom return, that I would continue to strive to enter that kingdom, and that my house would stand in the coming storm.

While you are at it, pray the same for yourself. Surrender to His reign is the critical first step. Know that I will be praying for you.

Humbly yours and forever His,