Walking On Dry Land

"Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen. For by it the elders obtained a good testimony. By faith we understand that the worlds were framed by the word of God, so that the things which are seen were not made of things which are visible." - Hebrews 11:1-3

I have referenced those verses - specifically verse one, with regularity in my writings and ramblings. Faith is a mystery in that its root is found in the heavenlies - through a connection with the Creator. It is faith that is the motivation for a simple man or woman to live an extra-ordinary life in the face of whatever adversity life on this planet may bring their way. Oswald Chambers wrote, "Every [person] is made [by God] beyond [their] grasp". 

For those of you who are a little rusty on annotations in writing, square brackets [ ] indicate that the text has been modified for clarity by me. In the case above I replaced "man" with "person", added "by God" and changed "his" to "their".  

We are called to do more than is humanly possible through the exercising of our faith. "Calling transforms life so that even the commonplace and menial are invested with the splendor of the ordinary." Os Guinness, The Call, p185 

Consider Brother Lawrence (born Nicolas Herman), a soldier, wounded veteran, turned 17th-century Carmelite friar, who sought only to practice the presence of God. As a friar or Brother, his one desire was not to serve in the kitchen, but was relegated to the kitchen for 15 years. During that time he had many visitors who traveled great distances to meet with him - a mere kitchen worker powerfully anointed by the Spirit of God. "The Practice of the Presence of God", a book of Brother Lawrence's teachings was compiled by Father Joseph de Beaufort, circa 1692.

"Calling transforms things, by reminding us, once again, of our audience [an audience of One]. He [God] requires our obedience in the routine, the unseen, and the thankless." - Os Guinness, The Call, p186, 190

We, who are in Christ, have been called by God to a new life - a transformed life - no exceptions. God does not have any favorites. Do you remember the Tommy Smothers quote, "Mom always liked you best." The fear of most siblings is that they are somehow loved less and spend their lives seeking evidence of what they believe to be true.

"Then Peter opened his mouth and said: “In truth I perceive that God shows no partiality [not a respecter of persons]. But in every nation whoever fears Him and works righteousness is accepted by Him." - Acts 10-34

Perhaps you don't see your Christian walk as particularly special or significant. As proof, you compare yourself to those who have been called to lead, to preach to teach, to evangelize. Those you see as more spiritually significant. Did you know that God has equipped them for your benefit, to serve you, to equip you for the work of the ministry? Let me remind you.

"And He Himself gave some to be apostles, some prophets, some evangelists, and some pastors and teachers, for the equipping of the saints [people just like you] for the work of ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ [of which you are a vital part]" - Ephesians 4:11-12

So what about "walking on dry land"? I will close with a Oswald Chambers quote. "Walking on water is easy to [marvel at], but walking on dry land as a disciple of Christ is a different thing. It is inbred in us that we have to do exceptional things for God, but we have not. We have to be exceptional in the ordinary things, to be holy in the mean streets, among mean people, and this is not learned in five minutes." 

And it is there while walking on dry land that most of us stumble and fall. God has not called us to be great but to be faithful to a great God - no matter where we fit in the Body of Christ and His eternal plan.

Think about it – Pray about it – Believe it – Walk in it. Let your light shine and give God the glory. 

By Faith Alone By His Grace Alone And For His Glory Alone