Is your faith foolish?
Paul the Apostle defines faith as:
Now faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see. Hebrews 11:1
I’m just completing a Bible Study with a delightful group of women. We’re using Mark Batterson’s, The Circle Maker: Praying Circles around Your Biggest Dreams and Greatest Fears. In the second week of the study, Mark tells participants:
Don’t be afraid to look foolish for God. Faith is the willingness to look foolish.”
Now that got my attention…
No one likes to look foolish, do we? Yet, when we review the Bible, we see multiple times when God’s faithful stepped out and did some really unexpected (foolish?) things for God.
Moses had the Israelites march into the Red Sea with a wall of water on either side of the people, only held back by wind (Exodus 14:21-22). They did so by faith (Hebrews 11:29).
Samson used an unconventional weapon to defend himself against the Philistines: Finding a fresh jawbone of a donkey, he grabbed it and struck down a thousand men. Judges 15:15
By faith Noah, when warned about things not yet seen, in holy fear built an ark to save his family. Hebrews 11:7
By faith, Abraham, when called to go to a place he would later receive as his inheritance, obeyed and went, even though he did not know where he was going. Hebrews 11:8
Jesus inspired his followers to take unusual (foolish?) steps of faith:
His disciples: Then Jesus said to Simon, “Don’t be afraid; from now on you will fish for people.” So they pulled their boats up on shore,left everything and followed him. Luke 5:10-11
Sea of Galilee
By faith, Peter walked on water: “Lord, if it’s you,” Peter replied, “tell me to come to you on the water.” Matthew 14:28
Those seeking healing: Just then a woman who had been subject to bleeding for twelve years came up behind him and touched his cloak. She said to herself, “If I only touch his cloak, I will be healed.” Matthew 9:20-21
What is God calling you to do by faith?
In our Bible Study, Mark Batterson reminds us that prayer is hard work. Active, effective prayer requires commitment and consistency.
We are encouraged to pray for BIG dreams–the hard stuff.
When we stop to think about it, that makes sense, doesn’t it?
After all, our God is an awesome God!
He can accomplish the hard stuff!
But, we are held back from praying for our BIG dreams, aren’t we? Do any of these reasons stop you from praying for your BIG dreams?
- That’s too BIG, I’m being selfish to ask for that.
- God has so many other people to focus on, I shouldn’t ask for fulfillment of that dream.
- I’m so blessed, I feel guilty asking for more.
- I don’t deserve that. I’m not going to ask so that way I won’t be disappointed when I don’t get it.
- Or, do we say, “That’s foolish–I’m not going to pray for ______” (you fill in the blank of what you believe you shouldn’t pray for).
What other reasons are holding you back from praying for BIG dreams?
But, remember what Paul wrote in Hebrews 11:1…faith is the confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see.
God knows our hopes and dreams. What is the dream that you feel is too much for God–too BIG for you to ask for? Does it honor God? Will this dream allow you to serve our Lord?
Pray for it, my friend!
I’m praying for you–that you will have the faith, courage, and strength to look foolish for God–to accomplish His purpose. (And, if you have an opportunity to complete a Bible Study with Mark Batterson, I hope you will!)
Katherine, you got MY attention with the quote from the study you just finished. Actually, it hit a nerve. I don’t want to look foolish in regards to my faith (or anything, really). But your examples helped me see with fresh eyes that we do need to be willing to look foolish to others when it comes to our faith.
Great post!
Thank you, Beckie! Yes, I agree that it’s hard to get past that feeling that everyone is watching and judging what we do. I’m praying that we can focus on the only one that matters–Jesus!
Great post! I recently attended a great prayer conference and the leader explained that prayer is work. That shocked me and yet, encouraged me. Your post reminds me once again to pray my heart, after all He knows my heart’s desire anyway. Thanks!
Yes! Prayer is work! I just finished this study and I’m still in the inspired stage, BUT–I’m struggling to set aside the daily time that needs to be devoted to those BIG prayers. I need a PRAYER Room! Wishing you blessings, my friend.
You know I just reviewed this book, too—it encouraged me a lot in praying bigger prayers. I could probably say yes to all your questions about being held back in prayer. After having practiced praying bigger prayers for a month or so, I need his reminder that answers to big prayers sometimes take a long time to see come to fruition!
I found the Bible Study to be really inspiring, but it’s challenging to maintain the additional prayer time that I want to commit to ongoing bigger prayers. Heather, I’d love some suggestions if you have time to share. Thanks for your encouragement, my friend!
I really need to read this book. I can’t even think of anything BIG that I’d like to pray for.
I haven’t read the “big” book (Circle Makers), but I’m sure it is good. The Bible study is a smaller version, but very inspiring. I hope we both get to read the larger version and learn to pray for the BIG things!