Faith - You Gotta Have It Sample

AVOIDING THE FAITH-DRIFT

Do you just love a swim in the ocean? This summer, our family was blessed with a great holiday at the beach. On our first day of holiday, we rushed to the beach to find the ocean was a little rough, but we were keen for a swim (and I was keen to perfect my bodysurfing). About five minutes in, we realised to our surprise that we were about 100 metres down from where we had run into the ocean. The tide had pulled us from where we entered, to where we now were. So, we came back. The kids jumped in again and sure enough, five minutes later they had drifted in the current. Our position on the beach had not changed but the kids had drifted, so we waved them back.

It is an alarming thing about the tide that you can drift without even realising it.

It can be the same with our faith in God: He hasn’t moved, but we do. We drift. His faithfulness has not changed but our faith can drift.

It is easy to drift in our expectations, in our belief, in our reverence towards God. I know for myself, and for many, it is easy to lose confidence and assurance in these times. More than ever, we are leaning into different things to guide us and lead us back to ‘normal’ life. It is easy to allow where we are looking for truth and where we are looking for assurance drift and change. Where we once started hot and ‘on fire’, the passion has waned. The drift is real.

Most of the time I don’t think it is because of unfaithfulness; my kids don’t drift in the surf because they are willingly unfaithful. Most of the time we drift because of FORGETFULNESS. I forget where I am. I forget whose I am. I forget about the good things God has done in my life. I forget about the prophecies, the scriptures, the promises...

This is why the Israelites kept calling to mind all the things God had done in the past when leading them out of Egypt. They were constantly drifting, grumbling, moaning, creating new idols and putting their focus elsewhere. But God was faithful to them when they remained faithless. They were calling to mind God's faithfulness to give them faith.

Have you forgotten the good things God has done and said over you? GOD DOES NOT CHANGE. We need to remember HIS faithfulness today.

We acknowledge that we drift in life but when we say in our hearts and out loud: “God I acknowledge I have drifted but I return to you", watch how faith and confidence floods your life. Watch how faith grows and amazing things happen. COME BACK TO GOD IN YOUR HEART

As you read the key passages today, have an open heart and ask God, "Where have I drifted from you? Where do I need to draw close?'