Faith that is seen...

For some reason growing up, I was always fascinated by the story of the paraplegic who couldn't get close enough to see Jesus (Luke 5). His friends have brought him for healing, and when they couldn't get close enough...they climb onto the roof, take off some tiles and lower him down! Genius! And then it says "When Jesus saw their faith, he said "friend, your sins are forgiven".


There are 2 things I find fascinating about this. Firstly...their faith was SEEN. Faith is not something that you just keep inside of you. Yes, that's where it starts and where it grows...but if you don't do anything with your faith, it isn't effective. Even the bible says that faith without works (action) is dead. So what am I doing to show my faith? Because at the moment, I am DEFINITELY living by faith. Visas, jobs, finances, calling, purpose, timing, God's plan...all desperately needing God's touch. And my FAITH! But do others see my life and see faith, or fear. Confidence in God, or myself. A willingness to step out and trust, or wait til I have all the answers. If Jesus looked at my life, would he see the faith just on the inside of my heart, or being lived out daily as a testimony of His goodness.

The second thing is that it wasn't just the faith of the paraplegic man in this story. It was the faith of his friends. Jesus didn't say HIS faith was seen...it was THEIR faith. Sometimes we just use all our faith on ourselves. Believing for what WE need. But how often are we letting our faith for others be seen? How often are we willing to get out of our comfort zone (maybe even climb on a roof) and do whats needed in faith for others? Maybe, like my amazing Ps Carl reminds us...its having the courage to ask someone to church, in faith. Maybe write the book that will impact others, in faith. Offer to pray for someone who isn't a Christian, in faith. Lets not only use our faith for selfish gain...lets allow our faith to be seen BOTH for believing God to move in our circumstances, but also for those around us.

Where we will find you?

We all know that troubles come. Unfortunately, even as Christians we face crises, troubles and scary seasons. God promises to protect us and be with us throughout them, but how do WE react during these times.

I was reading Luke 2:49  recently, where Jesus' parents lose him. Whoa...imagine telling God you literally lost his son?! Anyways...they finally locate him in the temple/church. And Jesus says "Why did you have to look for me? Didn't you know that I would be in my father's house"

It made me question where I go when maybe I feel lost or troubled. I mean, Jesus was a kid. I remember being a kid and not being able to find my mum in a shop, and the fear kicks in. Jesus was still just a kid that lost his parents. Yet...he went to the one place that He knew would always be his place of safety and protection. What do you do when you go through a crisis? Do you isolate yourself from family and friends? Stay in bed and hide under the covers? Stop going to church cause it feels too hard or you are mad at God?

Jesus was all alone in the desert when the devil attacked him with temptation (Matthew 4). And the devil will do the same for us. When you isolate yourself, you are leaving yourself open to the devil whispering lies, temptation, frustration and negativity into your mind. Jesus withstood it because, lets face it...He is God. But He doesn't want us to go through tough times alone. He tells us in Ecclesiastes 4 " You are better off to have a friend than to be all alone... if you fall, your friend can help you up. But if you fall without having a friend nearby, you are really in trouble"

So when trouble hits, keep going to church. Keep doing life with strong Christian friends who can encourage you. Keep pushing into God. Don't make it so that people have to come find you. Have it so that you too can say "Why did you have to look for me? Didn't you know that I would be in my father's house"