Sometimes you think you’re on a specific path but when you finally arrive “there,” it looks different than you imagined. I originally came to The Summit with a big vision for where God was going to take us. Like other churches, The Summit was hurting, but I’ve seen God do great things over the last four years and know there is more ahead! While I couldn’t have predicted all of the things God has brought me through, I know He’s working (upfront and behind the scenes) in ways that I can’t even begin to imagine or understand. The simple truth is that God sometimes walks His children through tests of faith.
“For the eyes of the LORD run to and fro throughout the whole earth, to give strong support to those whose heart is blameless toward him. You have done foolishly in this, for from now on you will have wars” (2 Chronicles 16:9). Wouldn’t you like God to look and you and know that you desire to honor Him, that you’re willing to have Him reign over your life? Submitting to His will is what will help you get there! This is what I desire—to be blameless before God and know that I have obeyed Him, even if others around me don’t understand or support what I do.
Let’s take a look at Act 1:8 and how it can apply to someone in full-time ministry, but to anyone who strives to share the Gospel with others! “But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.” Just think about how different life could be for believers who put all their energy and effort into simply serving God, sharing the Truth with others, and practicing obedience. You’re called to be His witness, and this is possible in the context of ministry and everyday life.
The Bible has a perfect example of God testing someone’s faith (Genesis 22). Abraham was called to take his son Isaac and sacrifice him before God, something that must have grieved him beyond anything I can imagine. But Abraham, while not always quick to obey, had gotten to a point in his life where he was willing to obey rather than delay. It’s possible Abraham knew God wouldn’t ask him to do such a thing without restoring his son to him somehow. But whether he knew that or not, killing your own child is not your everyday request. Right before Abraham dropped the knife to take the life of his own son, an angel stopped him and stilled his hand. You have to believe that when God asks you to do something, He has reasons! For Abraham, he learned to trust and obey. Remember this—trust and obey, even when you don’t fully understand His reasons. Sometimes He takes you there and back again.