When I was a child, I enjoyed watching a show called “The Invisible Man.” The main character was, as the title suggests, hidden to the normal eye. He had to put on clothes and a mask whenever he wanted to be visible. In the same way, faith is unseen, since it is a matter of the heart. But something enables it to become visible on the outside as clear evidence of its presence: a person’s actions and lifestyle.
I would like to focus on one particular aspect of this proof of faith: the need to take a step. After all, it’s not by accident that the term “step of faith” is in our vocabulary. It illustrates the truth that genuine faith expresses itself in action.
Let me give you a few examples, starting with salvation. The basic message of the Gospel is that a person who believes in Jesus as the Savior of the world is reconciled to God. He or she enjoys a relationship with the Creator, beginning in the present and lasting for all eternity. What step is required in this case? The Bible makes it clear that believing means more than merely acknowledging the truth of the Gospel. It implies taking the step of asking for salvation, while repenting and committing oneself to God.
Let’s move on to another illustration. In 2004, the Evangelical Methodist Church in Kielce, Poland, became convinced that God wanted them to build a new building. They had outgrown the tiny house where they met. There was only one problem: they had no money! (minor detail, right?). Nevertheless, with fear and trepidation, they decided to move in the direction God was leading them. They took the step of tearing down the existing house. In less than a year, they built a large building that met the needs of the growing church.
I would like to share an example from my life. About ten years ago, I became convinced that God wanted two friends and me to publish a songbook of worship music in Polish. We knew the idea was crazy, but it was the task the Lord had set before us. With fear and trepidation, we took the step to undertake this project, and after two years of work, our songbook, “Tylko Jezus” (Only Jesus), was published.
The Bible is full of examples of people who believed and then showed it by taking a step of faith. Noah had to build the ark. Abraham had to leave his country. Joseph had to go through with the wedding to a pregnant Mary. Peter had to put away his fishing boat. I could go on and on, but I think you get the point.
Not all steps of faith have to be big, of course. Much of the time, we make decisions in routine, mundane areas of life, and those choices also reflect our faith, or lack thereof. Sometimes a step means rejecting something. For example, a friend of mine was convinced the Lord didn’t want her to accept a job. With fear and trepidation, she said no, even though she didn’t have another job offer to fall back on. That decision opened the door to a much better job.
Over the years, I’ve often been in conversations with people who expressed a desire for faith but claimed they couldn’t have it. What they probably meant was that they couldn’t take the required step of faith. If I were to guess, the reason was most likely fear. They were hardly unique. Don’t you think Abraham was afraid to leave the only home he knew? Sure he was! What about Joseph and Mary? I’m certain they were terrified. Even the Apostle Paul asked for prayer to overcome his apprehension. Fear is a natural reaction to the unknown – especially when God’s will seems so crazy! But none of these heroes of the faith let that stop them.
How can we overcome fear and step out in faith? By focusing on the One who calls us to do so. By remembering who God is, what He has done, and the promises He has given us. By asking for His strength and grace.
So go ahead and take that step of faith!