What does faith mean for me?

As we embarked on our journey to this phase of the unknown, people were constantly telling us, "God has something better". "You're going to move onto something greater". I don't know if that was them trying to reassure themselves, after the decision was made or if it was just the standard Christian response to someone going through a hardship.

So, I've been reading my Bible and some other books for food and encouragement and I picked back up "A Contrarian's Guide to Knowing God" by Larry Osborne.

The more I explored the biblical accounts and the less I listened to the motivational talks, the more I became convinced that the kind of faith God wanted from me was quite different from the kind I was constantly being exhorted to have.

Osborne goes on to suggest that faith is less about claiming away doubt but rather a heart of obedience despite the circumstances. I'm more inclined to agree with Osborne.

He says:

The Greek word translated as faith in our Bibles has nothing to do with a powerful imagination, eradicating doubt, or any other form of mind of matter. It has nothing to do with feelings or mental imagery. It has to do with obedience.

I'm thinking, if I can believe God and take His word for just that, HIS word, and obey Him, no matter what my circumstances look like, I'm demonstrating faith. It might not be about not having doubts or concerns throughout my obedience.

Larry gave a great example in his book. Remember Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego? They were commanded like the rest of the nation to bow to the golden image. However, they did not want to go against their beliefs and so they did not bow, even with the threat of being thrown into a fire.

Here's what they said to the king,

O, Nebuchadnezzar, we do not need to defend ourselves before you in this matter. If we're thrown into the blazing furnace, the God we serve is able to save us from it, and He will rescue us from your hand, O King.

Wow. We often times in that story see faith in the boldness of standing up to the king and letting him know about their God and how He could save them. (And we all know He could)

Their faith at its greatest, however, may have come from them recognizing that He may not deliver them and yet they were determined to walk in obedience still. Perhaps that is faith really defined. Following God even if the pay off, isn't in the right here and now.

But even if He does not, we want you to know, O king, that we will not serve your gods or worship the image of gold you have set up.

I wonder, can I stop and listen long enough for God's voice so that I -can- obey, demonstrate my faith and trust in Him.

Osborne says:

The important lesson in this story is not the Sunday school take-home that if we trust God enough and do the right thing, He'll get us out of every fiery jam. While it's certainly true that God honors our faith and obedience with miraculous deliverance, most often His reward comes much later - in a place and time called eternity.

The important lesson is that God is pleased with obedience even when we expect the worst.

I'm going to try to meditate on this topic of faith some more and keep asking God what He wants of me so that I can obey. Jesus' statement about the mustard seed... was He saying we needed more with His illustration or was He trying to say that we can do great things with whatever amount we have, through obedience?