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Garden of the Gods

Trials, Faith, Steadfastness and the Hope of Perfection

November 3, 2014 by brianmichaelsteck Leave a Comment

I am notoriously horrible at memorization, so scripture memory is really a chore for me. But because it’s so good for me, I dedicate myself to work on it. Recently I was engaging a section of scripture (James 1:2-8) and called it out to a group of Revolution5 Leadership Institute students during a workout, as encouragement. This stood out to me:

“Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.”

As we pounded our bodies in the hot sun, I asked myself, “Is this what the verse is talking about? This is, of course, a trial of a various kind, but is it testing my faith?” For a bit, I chewed on this as steam billowed from my mouth and sweat dripped from my brow.

This particular workout was emphasizing the importance of allowing our personal mission statements to be the higher goal in all that we do; that the goal, for example, wasn’t to endure a tortuous workout. Instead, we aim to be willing to go anywhere and do anything to fulfill God’s call on our lives.

We each took turns declaring our mission statements to each other with confidence. Each student’s statement was powerful; full of life, love and potential. But what did it really have to do with faith?

The Epiphany

With the mountains all around us and the majestic red spires of the Gard of the Gods coming out of the ground in the distance, I attempted to catch my breath for a brief moment as we held plank position together. Then it occurred to me:

“Faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see.” (Hebrews 11:1)

Our “mission statement” was, indeed, full of faith. Each of our personal missions were lofty, proclaiming the potential which God had called us to. The mere words were invoking confidence in our hearts, for things hoped for and potential not yet claimed.

In a way, we were living out James 1:2-3 as we trained our bodies and minds to endure trials while focusing on things hoped for — the fulfillment of our mission.

It was an encouraging moment, realizing that God was refining us through the steadfastness of our workout and meditation on the heavenly call upon our lives. All the effort of exercise, mission statements and memorizing scripture would one day have it’s full effect on me, that I might be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.

Filed Under: Scripture Studies Tagged With: Faith, Hope, Mission Statement, Steadfastness

Desperation and Trust: a Psalm for the weak

December 9, 2011 by brianmichaelsteck 2 Comments

I’m writing this from a weak place.

The Lord has been very good to us. All my needs are met. There is so much to be thankful for and I am undeserving of the blessings that are all around me.

Yet, I am struggling. Reaching and grasping for contentment and trust in the Lord.

This morning I woke to read an e-mail stating that the home we are attempting to purchase is slipping out of our grasps. The appraisal came back with an acceptable value, but “subject to repairs”. That line, “subject to repairs” is what is keeping the lending bank from giving us the loan; and it is that decision that is making this gorgeous, sunny December day so painful.

Moments after reading this, I opened my Bible and read these words:

You are my King and my God. You command victories for Israel. Only by your power can we push back our enemies; only in your name can we trample our foes. I do not trust in my bow; I do not count on my sword to save me. You are the one who gives us victory over our enemies… O God, we give glory to you all day long and constantly praise your name.” Psalm 44:4-8

This Psalm is heart-wrenching and strangely familiar today. So with nowhere to turn and no answers, I confess my weakness and present this situation with this claimed truth: There will be no victory unless the Lord provides.

“Lord I trust You alone. You are my strength and a mighty mountain which I hide within. You protect me out of the goodness of your heart and not because I am worthy of it in any way. You desire me and I bask in your love. Father of heaven and earth, in utter and complete surrender, I come to Your throne-room asking for You to do what only You can do. Come. Change my heart. Move a mountain. It’s my desire that we would have this house, but Your will be done.”

Filed Under: Surrender Tagged With: Dependency, Faith, Hope, Surrender, Trust

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