How to Step Out in Faith When You Feel Uncertain
It’s a dreary winter morning when I realize that the dark, cold days have worn me far too thin. As I begin brainstorming ideas about how to climb out of the rut, I have no idea that God is about to teach me a lesson that will stay with me for years, a lesson about how to step out in faith.
“Want to take Caleb to our camping spot along the river?” I ask Bekah, drawing her from screen time that’s lasted longer than good parents would permit.
There’s no hesitation. “Yes!” she shouts.
In ten minutes, we’re bundled into snow pants, parkas, and blaze orange stocking caps, barreling down the road to a place that’s become a hidden sanctuary among conifers on hot summer nights.
“I seriously can’t stop smiling,” Bekah says from the backseat. “I try not to, but my lips just keep forcing out a smile.”
She’s watching herself in the rearview mirror, little face puckered in unequivocal delight.
How to Step Out in Faith Amid Raging Waters
We reach the parking area, and our journey begins with a one-mile walk beneath hemlock boughs hanging low. Bekah skips and hops the whole way, and I push Caleb in a stroller suited for this kind of excursion.
A mile into our hike, we reach the open grate bridge that normally leads us safely across an amicable stream with clear water washing over sandstone. Today we find nothing friendly about the stream. The water from the great river to our right has exceeded its banks, and the normally leisurely current of the small stream is a muddy torrent of rapids. The bridge is visible, but only beneath ten inches of muddy water.
“I guess we’ll have to go back,” Bekah says, deflated.
“Let’s walk upstream and see if we can find a crossing,” I suggest, hoping to save the day.
Before You Give up
Twenty minutes later, we’ve found no crossing over the raging waters of the bursting stream, and Bekah’s smile fades as she concedes, “I guess we’ll have to go home.”
Staring at the flooded bridge, I suddenly have an idea.
“What if I take off my shoes and socks, roll up my pants, and push you both across in the stroller?” I suggest.
The kids stare at me in disbelief, eyes flickering in wonder.
“Let’s do it!” Bekah cheers, and within seconds, they’re both sitting in the stroller, clinging for dear life.
I shove my shoes and socks into the back of the stroller, roll my pants above my knees, and begin pushing the stroller (holding both kids) across the muddy water as the 30-degree snowflakes fall from heaven.
We make it across the water undeterred, and within five minutes, my feet are warm again as I push my passengers toward the big bend in the river where we’ll build the fire and roast the marshmallows.
A Practical Way to Step Out in Faith
Later that night, Bekah convinces me to print the photos from our trip so she can make a memory book. I’m surprised to discover a photo Bekah snapped while I was recovering from the return trek across the stream: a photo of me putting my shoes on.
I stare at it for a minute, and I’m taken back to one of my favorite passages of Scripture:
So when the people set out from their tents to cross the Jordan with the priests carrying the ark of the covenant before the people, and when those who carried the ark came into the Jordan, and the feet of the priests carrying the ark were dipped in the edge of the water (for the Jordan overflows all its banks all the days of harvest), the waters which were flowing down from above stood and rose up in one heap (Joshua 3:14-16)
As God’s chosen people were about to enter the land he had promised for their inheritance, the priests carried the most precious possession: the ark of the covenant.
The ark of the covenant was the very place where the presence of God dwelled. The priests’ commission was simple: Lead the people across the formidable Jordan River by stepping into the water. God promised to draw back the waters after the priests took the first step, and he fulfilled his promise.
God’s Provision Follows Our Faith
Sometimes we have to take off our shoes and step into the water of risk if we’re going to receive the abundance of God’s promises for our lives.
If you’ve been waiting on God to do the miracle before taking the first step of faith, you might have your perspective backward. God often waits for us to take the first step in faith before revealing signs of his provision.
The priests trusted this principle.
When Risk Makes It Scary to Step Out in Faith
I wasn’t thinking about the Jordan River or the priests when I pushed my kids across the numbing water in my bare feet, but a similar principle applied. We enjoyed the rewards of reaching our destination because we were willing to take a risk.
How often I miss the reward of obedience because I’m afraid of risk.
How often do we miss God’s best because we’re unwilling to take off our shoes and step into the cold water?
If you’ve reached the flooded creek bed today, there are two choices: Roll up your pants and cross, or turn back and call it quits. This might be the day to roll up your pants and take the first step.
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