Go to work
Come home
Repeat
The days drag on and the years fly by and most days are met with a familiar rhythm, nothing dramatic, nothing too exciting. Where does faith fit in?
As missionaries we had years that were marked by a sort of 'forced faith'. One initial decision to go that resulted in a daily practice of walking by faith... in regards to a place to live, paying the bills, simple shopping trips, cars breaking down, children getting sick and the list goes on. Most days began "Lord I don't know how to do this or even where to begin, so I'm going to just start walking and trust you to lead. Extreme highs and heartbreaking lows were around almost every corner. The use of faith is a bit of a spiritual drug, the more you use the more you desire.
Now a suburban life in the states doesn't seem to offer that same roller coaster life of faith. It is like living in flatland most days. Faith doesn't seemed to be forced on me anymore (and I have insurance for everything, just in case of ...whatever ) and in fact it often seems discouraged by our society. I wonder if it is by faith that we please God, how is that to be done in a comfortable suburban home with food in the cupboards and money in the bank account? Should I sell everything I have and live by 'faith' that God will supply or is there a different way?
Let me suggest 3 ways I'm learning to live by faith in the flatlands.
- Take risks. Walking by faith begins with a first step, like the decision to go to Slovenia. It starts with a conscious decision to step without knowing the outcome, you could fall flat on your face. This is hard for most of us because I think most of us are inherently risk averse, which most times is a good thing. When you can see the ground below you it's harder to risk a step off the edge than when you have nothing below you. And I'm learning sometimes it takes faith to wake up, go to work, come home and do it all gain and believe that is what the Lord wants for you that day, a "long obedience in the same direction" as Eugene Peterson said.
- Get perspective. The rhythm of life in flatland can dull you into thinking you are missing something. Make you discontent. Tychicus, remember him? Not many of us do, I've read his name dozens of times but never made a huge impression. He was the friend of Paul that delivered some of his letters to the churches in Turkey. He waited on Paul, probably brought him food and items he needed in jail and was handed a few scrolls to take and walk for days, months. Paul had honorable faith that we can follow and Tychicus offered the example of faith in flatland, each day waking up with the same mission, no glamorous adventure, ... walk. His faithful walking God honored with mentioning him several times in the Word of God.
- Pray specifically. One of the most practical out workings of faith is in our prayers. It's easier to pray 'Lord bless the day' and thanks for everything and help grandma get better. Our words make faith real, it directs our steps and most of our steps are safely on the ground we can control. We prayed for oil for our furnace tank in Slovenia when we were low on money and the gauge didn't move for 2 months! Prayer is faith's first step. It takes practice and courage that I often find myself losing remembrance of. Praying for specific things, people, opportunities begins that step into faith.
