What is Faith?

What is Faith?

Where was Abraham's faith when he prepared to sacrifice Isaac? Did he have faith that the Lord would intervene before Abraham actually killed his only son? Or, did he trust that even if the Lord meant for Isaac to die that God was still in control and still capable of fulfilling the promises He had made to Abraham? The Lord had promised Abraham that he would be the father of numerous descendants and now He was asking him to sacrifice his only son. In man's wisdom, this makes no sense at all. How can Abraham be a father of numerous descendants if his only child is dead? Some people will say that having faith meant Abraham knew God would ultimately spare Isaac, but I don't think that faith as anything to do with belief that the Lord will bring about the specific outcomes we desire/deem necessary for His will to be done. Abraham's faith was evident in fact that he was willing to obey the Lord even if His instructions didn't seem to fall in line with His promises.

The school has been struggling a lot this year and we're definitely reaping the consequences of poor financial decisions made in prior years. We need $1 million to break even this year. If the Lord wants the ministry of PC to continue, He needs to show up in a major way. While we are currently planning for the 2009-2010 school year, the truth is that unless this deficit is covered, I might not have a job next year.

My boss has asked me where my faith is, as though I need to have faith that the Lord will cover this deficit. I don't know what the Lord's plans are, but I have faith that the Lord is in control no matter what happens. Having faith means that I'm not looking for another job just because this one might not last. I'm committed to this ministry until we close the doors or the Lords leads me elsewhere (one or the other, or both, which ever comes first). I never set out to work in Christian education, but once the Lord opened the door to work at PC, there was nothing else I wanted to do. I've been blessed and stretched by this experience every single day.

If I had to work elsewhere, it probably wouldn't be at another Christian school (my history with PC and the work which the Lord did in my own life through it, is what drives me to help provide the same opportunities for our students). However, now more than ever, I know I want to work and live for Christ. I could get a regular job, but if anything is going to wear me out, I'd rather be worn out by kingdom work (besides I'd probably be too easily distracted by the comfy lifestyle a regular job would bring). If I didn't work for another ministry, I'd look something (such as temp work or taxes) which would give me the flexibility to pursue short term missions. This life is just too short not to take Christ at His word and give Him my all.

Resolutions:

Read through the Bible in one year
Workout at Curves 3x per week
Be thin by 30 (I'll be 29 in April and I'm done with being this heavy).
Be more intentional to cultivate the fabulous relationships the Lord has given me.