Everyone loves a good war story where the hero wins. The only problem with these stories is that you have to go through a war to get them. So instead we choose to watch them in theaters and on TV. This allows us to experience that emotional rush, without actually having to take those risks. To be sure it is enjoyable to go on these rides of fantasy but in the end there is no substance in fantasy. A fantasy will not sustain you in times of trouble.

Christian “war stories” are also enjoyable, we love them and we should. We love to hear of the faithfulness of God as we revel in the spiritual victories of others. Unlike fantasy, it is both important and life giving to encourage each other in this way. Recently however, God has been bringing a tougher truth to my mind regarding these wonderful stories.

It dawned on me one day that these stories are only as wonderful as the situation was terrible.

After all, if the biggest story of Moses life was that one day he got a splinter in his finger, then after praying, unexpectedly met a man with a tweezers. I doubt we would still be reading about Moses. However, having the Red Sea on one side and a murderous army on the other. That is a story! The first story is an everyday story of something that might happen whether you are obedient to God or not. The second is a story about the problems and victories that are only encountered through active faith and obedience. It is this second type of story I want to focus on.

While I am greatly encouraged by tales of God’s faithfulness in other’s lives. These stories have nowhere near the power of the stories God has built into my life over the years. Not that I have done greater things than Moses or anyone else for that matter, it’s just that my stories are of times that God showed himself to me. Not Moses or Joshua but me, a farm kid from Wisconsin. He showed himself in ways that I can never experience in someone else’s stories. The problems were real and they were mine. And because of that, the faithfulness of God was equally real and equally mine. This is where stories with the power to transform and sustain us are born.

So, how does one develop a catalog of these stories? In my experience there are two ways. The first way is to just wait until trouble finds you. Then if you lean into God, he will show himself faithful. Simple, and to some degree inevitable in this life.

But there is another way, a way that leads to the richest victory stories. That is, actively pursuing God in obedience and allowing God to lead you into places only He can sustain you. Then each day is transformed into a story of God’s faithfulness. Because each day is an exercise in living beyond your earthly means in full dependence on God and His grace.

My Story

For me this started 39 years ago when my wife and I started a street evangelism ministry in our town. We were way over our heads but each Friday night God was faithful. This was followed by starting a crisis hotline in the same town. Now we were even farther over our heads but again God was leading us and teaching us. Eventually God led us to Youth With A Mission where things really began to get interesting. No job, future unknown, and four young kids. That was 30 years ago and God has been faithfully guiding us, teaching us, and providing for us all this time. The current count is 4 boys, 3 daughters in-law, 6 grand-kids, and more blessing than I could ever explain, though not without incident. There are many war stories. Our family has been through death, sickness, heartbreak, disappointment, opposition of all kinds. But each of those bad days is now a great story of God’s love and faithfulness.

Today’s Story

So if God asks you to do something, maybe something new or unusual and you are wondering, “can I really do this?” consider this. The best of those amazing stories of faith represent an intentional and often risky step of faith into unknown events. A step taken while trusting in the unfailing love and grace of a known God. Each step of obedience you take beyond your own ability, will build a life giving story of God’s unfailing faithfulness in you. A story which you in turn can tell to bring life to others.

So we all have two choices today, we either try to hide from trouble in fear which is futile, or we move forward into the calling of God on our lives. It may feel more risky, but in the end it is the safest place to be. Best of all, when we are living beyond ourselves it is far easier to see each time God intervenes in his faithfulness. And with each new act of God’s faithfulness and power - our faith and joy and peace will grow. Giving us fresh encouragement to share with others.

God is speaking to you today to do something that is beyond you. Step out and do it, and you will meet God in ways you never imagined. Take a step into places that are beyond your natural ability and into the arms of an ever faithful God. God is the same yesterday, today, and forever.

Have a Great Day!

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