Dare to Trust

 

What does it take to face the unknown? Have you ever been presented with such a chance? Have you ever been presented with a dare? My actual "Call" to ministry was more of a dare than a traditional call. 

It happened like this.  .  .  I could talk to anyone, but I was terribly anxious to speak before a group, actually, literally speak to a group on any topic. I could participate in a discussion, I could put my own two cents worth in, I could make a comment, but to put something together that was my own, and to get up and present it to a group was terrifying. So, when I began to feel something I would later identify as "a call" to ministry, it was naturally something with which I was already comfortable, and to a group with which I was comfortable. I was called to be a Youth Pastor. It felt like I would be having a conversation with my peers. I would get to keep going to the Youth Conferences and retreats. I would get paid to play volleyball on Sunday night with the youth, to go to 6 Flags, to cheer on the Atlanta Braves. What a sweet deal!

I was on my journey to this career. I had just graduated from Belhaven College with a major in Bible and Christian Education. I was home for the summer, and I was already working as the Summer Youth Director at my home church. My pastor asked me what my plans were, and my reply was that I wanted to work with youth. 

Without any hesitation, he asked why I was scared of adults, reminding me that any decent youth pastor had to be involved with the parents of the youth in the group. I replied with a defensive comment. Ultimately, this led to the "I DARE YOU TO TRUST GOD AND APPLY TO SEMINARY TO SEE WHERE GOD TAKES YOU!" It's 43 years later. I have preached more than 1500 sermons, taught seminars, led retreats, and addressed a group of more than 5,000 at one time. My mother is the only one who can still tell that I am scared to speak in public!

All of this brings us to Peter, Jesus, a boat, and a storm. Matthew 14 tells the story of the disciples on the lake and Jesus walking to them out on the water. The storm is growing, increasing in power, and

Jesus decides to go for a stroll out in the middle of the lake. If the storm itself did not scare the disciples, the sight of a man walking on a body of water that reaches 141 feet in depth. Peter, in a bold move, calls out "Lord, if it really is you, tell me to come to you on the water." I would be surprised if there were no comments in later years about Peter's failed attempt to walk on water that night. However, I have got to hand it to Peter. He is the only one swing a leg over the side to get out of the boat in the midst of that storm and take one step. 

Now, I do not intend to compare my faith to the Apostle Peter's, and I am sure my risk was less than his as well. The one thing we share is that we actually took the step to start. The act of faith was not in walking on the water. No, the act of faith was Peter's willingness to get out of the boat. Your faith is not measured by your success, but by your willingness to trust, even if it starts with a dare. 

Pastor Craig

Refuge!

In the Lord I take refuge. How then can they say to me: “Flee like a bird to your mountain.” (Ps. 11:1)


There are times in the life of every Christian where we scream for relief. We want the storms to go away, the trials to cease, the testing to stop, and peace to reign. However, we have a Savior who offers more safety in the midst of turmoil than the most tranquil location on this planet.


The Psalmist is teased during his time of crisis, “Run away! Quickly, run away! Head for the hills!”


His reply? My refuge is the Lord God Almighty! What need do I have for flight? Why do I need to be afraid? It doesn’t matter if a thousand stand against me. The one I have on my side shall keep me safe and secure!


The world does not understand our contentment. Jesus tells us, “My peace I leave with you. Not as the world gives do I give unto you!” In other words, “I am leaving you something much better, much stronger, more reliable, more comprehensive, all encompassing, and never failing!” Why indeed would we run through the storm to any place else when we are already protected from the storm by the strong arms of our Savior?


Even the baby elephant above knows that the best protection is close to its mother. Even though we know the Lord is more protection than a hundred mama elephants, there are times we run to every source possible except the one actually able to protect us from the ravages of the storm.


Look at the picture on the picture at the beginning of this post. Look very closely. Did you see the figure standing in the doorway the first time you looked? Who would stand out there in the middle of such a horrendous storm? Who would venture out in those waves? The only person who would dare venture such a thing would be one who could rest comfortably knowing that between them and the pounding waves there was solid, impenetrable rock, something that would break the crashing waves and never be broken. There is no way a person could stand there on their own. They would be swept away, never to be found. To stand in the midst of such violence and conflict one needs to be protected by a mighty rock.


God has called you to do something. You are anxious about the task he has given to you. You don’t know where to begin and you cannot see the ending. Go stand in the storm, knowing that Christ the Rock stands between you and all ultimate harm!


Pastor Craig