Steps of Faith

Long ago, Kurt and I sent each of our littles off to their first days of preschool.  Their backpacks were almost as big as their small frames!  There were many emotions and excitements entangled in the heart, and stepping past the threshold of the unknown tickled the nerves and the tummy! Even for this mommy, the brink of change was welcomed, yet it held a delicate, tender point of navigation. 

Fast forward to this summer, my college-bound kids embarked on their freshman and junior years, while my high-schoolers set their eyes on the prize of their junior and senior years.  Each goodbye felt surreal, strange, satisfying, sad, and somehow, super.  As a parent, there is a level of relief to move on from the “norm” to the expectancy of the “next” for your child.  As I waved my goodbye to each kiddo, the Holy Spirit posed a question to my own heart:

How does Jesus feel when He sends us further into His prepared will for us?

“These twelve Jesus sent out with the following instructions: “Do not go among the Gentiles or enter any town of the Samaritans. Go rather to the lost sheep of Israel.  As you go, proclaim this message: ‘The kingdom of heaven has come near.’ Heal the sick, raise the dead, cleanse those who have leprosy,[a] drive out demons. Freely you have received; freely give.” Matt 10:5-8

After time-well-spent, Jesus sent out His disciples to do the work of the Kingdom.  They had been students of the greatest teacher ever and now was time for a team project. They were instructed to take nothing.  That doesn’t make much sense to mothers as we have scoured the back-to-school must-have lists to fulfill for our kids. 

As Jesus watched the disciples embark deeper into their callings, I wondered if He felt proud of them. Was He a little nervous that they would meet the right people? I wonder if He hoped they would gain more friends in the faith. I wonder if He worried that they would actually follow His instructions! 

vs 9-10: “Do not get any gold or silver or copper to take with you in your belts, no bag for the journey or extra shirt or sandals or a staff, for the worker is worth his keep.”

On the first day of any given school year, I try to dedicate the day to prayer and intercession for my children.  I pray for them every day, but on the first day of school, I spend significant time calling forth their divine purpose, praying protection over them, and believing they will make positive memories.

Jesus not only is our expert teacher but also the ultimate parent.  As a loving father, He has prepped you to take steps of faith into unknown territories and walk in the authority He has given to you.  As His child and student, ask yourself these questions.

Take this pop quiz:

1.      Have I done my homework?

2.      Do I have the supplies needed?

3.      Do I understand His direction?

4.      Have I passed the test?

5.      Do I trust Him?

And if you aren’t sure, here are the answers to the pop quiz.

1.      Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed. John 20:29

2.      Now may the God of peace, who through the blood of the eternal covenant brought back from the dead our Lord Jesus, that great Shepherd of the sheep, equip you with everything good for doing His will, and may He work in us what is pleasing to him, through Jesus Christ to Him be glory forever and ever. Amen. Hebrews 13:20-21

3.      Whether you turn to the right or to the left your ears will hear a voice behind you saying this is the way, walk in it. Isaiah 30:21

4.      Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us. Ephesians 3:20

5.      Blessed is the one who trusts in the Lord, whose confidence is in Him.    Jeremiah 17:7

On the threshold of something new this season?  Take those steps of faith and trust His heart.