Stepping Out in Faith?

What does that mean? Stepping out in faith.

I think the term comes from when the Israelites crossed the Jordan under the leadership of Joshua. The Jordan River was at flood stage and didn't stop flowing until the leaders feet hit the water.

Today we often hear the term used in connection with building projects or fundraising in the church. I think that all too often we are using the phrase to justify starting something that we want to do in our humanness and not something God has blessed.

The Israelites had forty years of wandering in the wilderness to come to grips with the fact that God wanted them to possess the land no matter what obstacles they may see in front of them. All too often today we spend an hour in prayer and then say that we know that God wants us to step out in faith.

I am not sure that stepping out in faith is the correct path unless we are 100% certain that God is directing us. When looking at building plans (where I most often hear this phrase) all the major building projects in the Bible were provided for in full before they began. This includes the tabernacle and Solomon's temple. Even with the rebuilding of the temple the timbers were arranged for from the King's Woodcutters prior to the rebuilding.

In Hebrews 11, the great faith chapter of the New Testament, the writer lists a bunch of people who step out in faith to do what God wants them to do. Almost without exception these men and women are moving out of their comfort zone through action. Not a building project is mentioned.

Stepping out in faith almost always comes done to an action of witness or of carrying God's will forward and expanding the Kingdom.

I have much to ponder on this. More later...