There is initial panic, pondering, questioning, and doubt in the moments when we feel God calling us into something beyond us. Those moments where giant steps of faith are preceded by great doubt.
I’ve had moments where my doubt was simply delayed disobedience. I can think of countless moments where God was calling me to lose weight and I delayed honoring Him with my health. I can think of those moments I knew God wanted me in ministry but partying was more attractive so I delayed and doubted that “God really wanted me to work in a church.”
"This is a team that knew how to dream big and pray big."
This Saturday we celebrate two years since the formation of a “core team” that God would work through to start this church we know as Wellspring Church. This is a team that knew how to dream big and pray big. We went before Him and wanted nothing more than to act in obedience. I hope this is all still true. On one meeting in particular, we were praying specifically for that first Sunday. I was thinking we should pray for 200 people. Then our Worship Lead threw out, “Guys, I think God wants over 400 people there that first Sunday.” I laughed. I paused. I threw up inside my mouth. I doubted. I really did. I thought ok cool, that is a pie in a sky type prayer. I want to be realistic in my prayers. But I was struck with the thought that what is realistic in human strength is just that, human. God’s reality is beyond me. His commands and vision for my life will be beyond me. What I wanted most was to be obedient. So we talked it out. I gave room for God to work through my doubt. I’m glad I did. God blew us away that first Sunday and He continues to! We had 6 people commit their lives to Jesus this past Sunday!
"We had 6 people commit their lives to Jesus this past Sunday!"
Yes, the Bible is full of examples of people who seemingly never doubt and acted instantly with courageous obedience. There are examples of those who doubted and delayed. Their delaying was disobedience. But thankfully there are examples of a middle ground. A place where God meets us in our doubts guiding us forward in courageous obedience.
"A place where God meets us in our doubts guiding us forward in courageous obedience."
Check this scene from Luke 1:
30 And the angel said to her, “Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God. 31 And behold, you will conceive in your womb and bear a son, and you shall call his name Jesus. 32 He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High. And the Lord God will give to him the throne of his father David, 33 and he will reign over the house of Jacob forever, and of his kingdom there will be no end.” 34 And Mary said to the angel, “How will this be, since I am a virgin?” 35 And the angel answered her, “The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you; therefore the child to be born will be called holy—the Son of God. 36 And behold, your relative Elizabeth in her old age has also conceived a son, and this is the sixth month with her who was called barren. 37 For nothing will be impossible with God.”
Verses before this a relative of Mary’s has a similar interaction. He and his wife are very old and are told they will have a child. This man, a priest, doubts, saying they are old and wondering how this could be. This “how” was seemingly bringing into question God’s ability. God sees this as sinful doubt and the man is made mute for sometime.
Mary is different. She has never slept with a man so how would she be with child. Her question is based on integrity. Is she to sin? How is she suppose to go about obeying God? Surely God is not calling her to sin by having sex with someone outside of marriage.
"She was willing to express her doubt in a way that invited God into the process."
She was willing to express her doubt in a way that invited God into the process. By expressing her doubt with an attitude of obedience we have this beautiful verse “NOTHING WILL BE IMPOSSIBLE WITH GOD.” Had Mary never brought her doubt up, we’d never have this comforting piece of Scripture.
We need to learn how to express our doubt to God in a manner that invites Him into the process. Where do you take your doubt? Are you running away from God in your doubt? Or are you human, with natural doubts, but choosing it bring it to Him? Are you seeking Him in order to obey Him? What you do with your doubt says a great deal about your faith. Maybe we haven’t seen God do the amazing because we’ve failed to truly invite Him into the process.
"Maybe we haven’t seen God do the amazing because we’ve failed to truly invite Him into the process."
May God put HUGE visions on your heart bringing great doubt to your flesh. May we then all bring these special moments to Jesus trusting that where God brings a vision He will also bring the provision.
Pray for One,
Jason Coache,
Lead Pastor of Wellspring Church
Click here to learn more about Wellspring Church in Toms River!
