by Leanne Purvis
After a disappointing journey in faith I find myself wondering what I was to learn from the situation. I thought I had faith that could move mountains, or in my case flood waters. Yet the waters were not parted, I could not get through on dry land.
My most recent ‘faith journey’ left me confused and a little frustrated. With a full schedule of working during the week and travelling to different churches each weekend with my husband in preparation to being long-term missionaries in Cambodia, much faith and strength from God is required. This keeps us rightly dependent on Him. So we’d set off on the 3 hour journey south to preach and share at a church, assured by both Apple and Google maps there was a route available, despite minor flood warnings and the main roads being cut. Like many others following the same advice, we drove around for hours, through back roads with water close to the roads, before we decided to phone a friend for a bed and try early the next morning instead. Alas, there was still no way through in the morning.
It left me asking what I was to learn from this exercise. It left me wanting more faith. So I decided to turn back to the Scriptures, and Abraham. Who wouldn’t want faith like Abraham? He is listed amongst other faith forefathers in Hebrews 11. Twice actually. The first time in leaving his people and place, to go to another place the Lord would provide. The second time is when he prepares to sacrifice his son Isaac. Isaac is the promised son whom God had miraculously provided through his barren wife, late in life, who was going to give Abraham as many descendants as there are stars and God modelled special favour through this family.
In my perspective, my journey south seemed like a waste of time, energy, and misplaced of faith. Yet I wonder if Abraham thought the same thing after trudging up a mountain to obediently sacrifice his son, only to be told he didn’t have to, and to go back down again. It appears to be a waste of time and energy, yet ironically is listed as an act of faith. And that’s the point. By definition faith is “confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see” (Heb 11:1). Yet none of the faith heroes, including Abraham, received what they had been promised, that occurred after their passing.
Hence I’ve discovered faith is a journey in trust and obedience. We had stayed safe and dry despite being surrounded by flood waters, and were able to reconnect with friends we hadn’t seen for a long time. Praise God that it is His perspective that counts.
Perhaps you’ve felt a faith journey returned void. Keep trusting and obeying Him, regardless the outcome or how things appear. From His perspective things can be quite different. What have you got to lose?
Leanne and her husband Alan are preparing to be Reaching Cambodia with Jesus. Their goal is to encourage the local churches and pastors, assisting with discipleship and church planting. Along with other WEC members, they aim to work particularly in areas that have not had an opportunity to hear the freeing good news of Jesus’ sacrifice, restoring relationships to have life with the Father. For more details and to subscribe to their newsletters, prayer letters or to follow them on facebook please check out their website https://www.reachingcambodia.info
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