In the 1996 film Tin Cup, golf prophet Roy McAvoy, A.K.A. Tin Cup explains to his caddy that certain shots in a round serve as a defining moment. “Either you define the moment, or the moment defines you.” As a former golfer who attended the 1995 Canadian PGA Qualifying School on Vancouver Island, the first nine holes defined my brief golfing career. After playing solid golf through the first 4 holes, I missed 2 short birdie putts and one two-foot par putt. Rather than being 2 or 3 under through the easiest stretch of the course, I was even par. My putting woes sealed my fate as this moment defined me as not being good enough to compete at a professional level.
Now faith is the assurance (the confirmation, [a]the title deed) of the things [we] hope for, being the proof of things [we] do not see and the conviction of their reality [faith perceiving as real fact what is not revealed to the senses], Hebrews 11:1.
Faith is like jumping off a diving board for the first time. You don’t know how it feels until you try. Faith is the initial step that a Christian takes in their lifelong journey, Romans 10:9-10. According to the apostle Paul, this first step of faith begins by verbalizing your faith to Christ to others. Jesus explains this in greater detail while talking with a man healed from demon possession. Mark 5:19 conveys the message that Christians can’t become disciples until you first go home to tell everyone that you know what God has done in your life.
[Urged on] by faith Abraham, when he was called, obeyed and went forth to a place which he was destined to receive as an inheritance; and he went, although he did not know or trouble his mind about where he was to go, Hebrews 11:8.
The scary part is that most steps of faith are done blindfolded. This isn’t literally, but it takes most Christians months and years to figure out where to go and what to do. The author of Hebrews refers to Moses as talking a step of faith, but not exactly knowing what direction to follow. When I first pronounced my faith in high school, I didn’t know how to study the Bible or pray, I just did it. Like the classic Michael W. Smith song, life is all about trial and error, Living and Learning along the way. As you mature in your faith, may Christmas serve as steppingstones so that daily challenges don’t define your faith as a failure. Rather, live and learn by growing closer to Jesus daily.
by Jay Mankus
ExpressYourself4Him 