I have made the statement numerous times over the last few months in regards to sharing our story publicly that it "is a testimony to those who are not believers and it is a test to those who are". These are words that are not actually mine...they are the Lord's. When wisdom slips off my tongue without a moment to process, I know the Lord delivered that message. These words of His have rang true for pretty much every person I have shared them with...including myself. A story as ugly as ours truly is a testimony to an unbeliever - an example of what this great God can do - seeing a changed man, marriage, family before their very eyes. But, it isn't only for the unbeliever. The test I speak of for the believer is a stretch of faith. Someone who knows the Lord - can they believe the Lord could do something so drastic? Do we believe He is alive today? When the world shakes its head so decidedly at certain sins, do we as professing Christ-followers actually believe the Lord makes all things new? A test. A test no "Christian" likes to admit they might have failed somewhere along the way.
In the light of all the fear and worry surrounding the current Coronavirus outbreak, I have lately been able to relate this talk of testimony and test to the actions around me...including my own. How we as Jesus followers respond to these uncertain times will certainly be a testimony to those around us. A dear friend of mine's son recently posted a run-in he had with a stranger in a grocery store. The man he was speaking with was visibly shaken with fear over the current health situation. Her wise son took the opportunity to share where he found his current comfort and peace...not in governments or vaccines but in Jesus and His sovereignty. This eventually led to this man accepting Jesus as his savior...a testimony.
If I watch too much news or read too many trending headlines, I can feel myself slip into the test side of this story. I love Jesus and have watched Him be oh so faithful over and over again, but suddenly I begin to sink into the waters below as my eyes come off of Jesus and they take in all the circumstances to my left and right. The world's fear becomes louder than the King's might and I lose my own footing. Do I believe in my big God? Do I believe He is alive today? Do I believe he could do something so drastic? Man, those questions sound familiar.
I do believe in being wise. I believe wisdom is from the Lord...it's fear that is not. I will keep my hands clean; I will follow regulations for social distancing, but mostly I will pray. I will buy the groceries I need for this week and then I will trust the Lord will again get us the groceries we need for next week. I will not be foolish, but I certainly will not be a slave to fear. I say that with authority but not without war. Don't be mistaken, I will have to war with fear...and likely you will too. But take heart, whether we shamefully find our faith tested in these waters, He doesn't waver. He won't leave us to battle alone, and as long as we keep our eyes on Him, we will keep miraculously walking right across the water.
25 Shortly before dawn Jesus went out to them, walking on the lake. 26 When the disciples saw him walking on the lake, they were terrified. “It’s a ghost,” they said, and cried out in fear.
27 But Jesus immediately said to them: “Take courage! It is I. Don’t be afraid.”
28 “Lord, if it’s you,” Peter replied, “tell me to come to you on the water.”
29 “Come,” he said.
Then Peter got down out of the boat, walked on the water and came toward Jesus. 30 But when he saw the wind, he was afraid and, beginning to sink, cried out, “Lord, save me!”
31 Immediately Jesus reached out his hand and caught him. “You of little faith,” he said, “why did you doubt?”
Matthew 14: 25 - 31
