A Crazy Kind of Faith

I remember when I first received my calling to ministry. God didn't tell me to go preach but instead told me to go and prepare because I was going to preach. This was a moment of decision in my life. One I must admit I failed.

Instead of jumping right into God's plan for my life, I told God that I was going to go to school and become a History teacher first and if He still wanted me to preach after that then I'd study His word. This attitude was the result of years of rebellion. I had hardened my heart until I wasn't about to let anyone tell me what I was going to do.

God, however, had a different plan and started me down a journey about faith and maturity and after just two semesters I started Bible College. As a Christian, God has allowed me to go through many different things but also put men and women in my path to teach me and train me up in His word. Who do you have in your life to train you?

In Matthew 14:22-36 there is this event in which Jesus comes to His disciples walking on the surface of the Sea of Galilee. Peter gets this crazy idea. "If Jesus can do that I can too!" Jesus calls to Peter, "come" and Peter does the unthinkable and climbs out of the boat. Instead of sinking, he starts walking on water.

We can go on to see how Peter takes his eyes off Jesus and begins to look at the wind and waves around him and begins to sink, but that isn't what I want to focus on.

How do we get this Crazy kind of Faith?

This type of Faith is not something we have on our own, it is a gift from God. It is something He teaches as we trust in Him for one small thing after another. It is also taught through the testimony of God's people. God taught me a lot about Faith through the work He was and is doing @ the River Community Church in Cookeville, TN. God did so many great things there that when we were called to a church in NW PA that could pay us, we went. I quit my job and moved a family of 6 with out a job that paid, knowing that God would provide. And He has!!!!!

Looking back I see what Peter saw while sitting on that boat. He saw Jesus!

Nothing mattered beyond being more like Him. Doing the things He is doing, saying the things He is saying, loving the people He is loving and offering the hope He is offering.

At times, like Peter, I too get distracted and start to sink but when I cry out to Jesus, He takes my hand and instantly I am back on the boat and Jesus is saying, "Brad, why did you doubt. Oh you of little Faith. Did you not know that I'd take care of you? Why are you worrying? Don't you know how much you mean to me?"

The truth is, Jesus gave everything for you! As He was accused by false witnesses, He thought of You. As He was beaten and mocked by Roman soldiers, He was thinking of You. As He stumbled under the wait of the Cross through the streets of Jerusalem, He was thinking of you. As He was nailed to that Cross, he was thinking of you. And before He gave His life, for you, He cried out on your behalf, "Father forgive them, they know not what they do!"

That is the Crazy kind of Faith that I want. Faith that will stretch arms wide and say, "I Love You!"