So...I was reading today about Gideon. God called him to deliver Israel from the hands of the Midianites. They were being controlled by a nation that was both evil and powerful warriors. He called Israel to Battle and they had NO idea how they would ever win! Over and over again throughout history, God has called His people to do battle with the enemy with no hope in sight for success. He was calling His people out of their comfort zones and into the realm of uncertainty. It must have been so scary! I believe this is what faith is about! It is trusting in God's sovereignty. It is trusting in the very character of God, being certain, without a doubt of Who God is and following Him into the unknown. This relationship of clarity and uncertainty id demonstrated in the life of Gideon. Do you remember? He was initially not convinced in the power of God. Not just once, but twice, he put his infamous fleece out. He was asking for a sign that God would be on his side. Each time, God responded to him lovingly and graciously assuring him that He would be with him. God called Gideon a mighty warrior when He first addressed him. He was with him all along the way at first and was intricately involved in the planning of the war. He asked him to decrease his army of ten thousand to 300 and gave him the test to give his men. I think this part is so cool! "...the ones who lap the water with their tongues like a dog, they get to go home. Keep the ones who bring the water to their mouth with their hands..." I'm sure Gideon must have been totally freaked out by this. The Midianites were known all over the place for their oppression! They spared NO living thing when they won a battle! They would even ruin all the crops and animals! Facing such an enemy must have been very overwhelming and then to be stripped down to three hundred men! Yet God gave him the victory. God convinced him that he truly was the warrior created to deliver the Israelites. I think when god is involved...things get really creative! Our environment, attitude and actions become changed to that of our Creator. Is "uncertainty" the environment in which God invites us to be creative? I believe all of us have a calling to live our lives in such a way that we are moving forward with God's creative plan for "battle". (giving our life away) Erwin McManus writes that "faith is all about character, trusting in the character of God, being certain in Who God is and following Him into the unknown." Am I doing that right now? What does God have for me in 2008? Am I willing to be a "Gideon" at this church? in life? Am I willing to lead God's people in uncertain times, into uncertainty? hmmmm...

FAITH IS THE SUBSTANCE OF THINGS HOPED FOR AND THE EVIDENCE OF THINGS NOT SEEN...