How many times in life do we head the advice of James?
Well, let me encourage you today by going back to those verses in James chapter 1. The verses that put our faith in real perspective. The ones that spell out our double-minded faith as unstable and in them we shouldn’t be expecting anything from God.
What does that mean? Double-minded faith?
Let me be honest here. Being double-minded had always been one of my biggest struggles.
If you have read my testimony, you will know that I spent much of my life in rebellion against the rules. Not understanding the true measure of grace that I was granted and gifted by the shed blood of Christ.
I was double-minded. I could play the game, talk the talk, and occasionally walk the walk. Live for myself I did, I could talk out of one side of my mouth like a Christian and like a sailor out of the other (since we are being honest).
Double-minded. I was unstable.
When I had my first child, things were tough, I had severe postpartum depression and never sought any help including help from the Lord.
Why? I doubted. I always doubted. My whole life was about independence and I always doubted that I needed help. I doubted the reality of my desperate situations. I doubted He could help me in my darkest hours.
All my doubts doubled up when they became fears. Fears that were never realized. Fears that I held like a buoy as I was tossed about in the unstable state that I resided in.
All of that eventually came crashing over me. Like the waves, I was being tossed in, I was overwhelmed as they came crashing down on my reality.
Unsettled. Unstable.
What changed?
What began to change my thought processes may seem really strange, but hang in there with me.
I was in the middle of a study of the tabernacle.
Then have them make a sanctuary for me, and I will dwell among them. Make this tabernacle and all its furnishings exactly like the pattern I will show you.” Exodus 25:8-9 (NIV)
And the details went on. And On. And On.
From the design of the table, what furnishings would be in exactly what place, what offerings were acceptable, all the way down to… finely twisted linen and blue, purple and scarlet yarn, with cherubim woven into them by a skilled worker (Exodus 26:1b NIV)
Why would that matter?
Notice why they were to make a sanctuary for the Lord?
And I will dwell among them.
Not in them. Among them. The plan had to be the exact copy of everything that He told them. The details were perfect and laid out in perfect fashion and God expected them to be perfect for Him to dwell among them.
Friends, that was a building. And I know it was building meant to house the presence of the Lord, but it was perfect.
The plans were perfect. He knew every detail. He knew every thread and where He wanted it placed and how He wanted it formed.
I am glad He didn't wait for us to be perfect to dwell in our hearts!
How much more can He carry out the plans for your life? For your days? In perfect fashion. In perfect detail. According to His plan.
You are not a place where God can dwell among you. You are the tabernacle that He will dwell within. Perfect plans He has and perfect plans He will carry out.
It is easy to get wrapped up in the heaviness of this world. It is easy to feel unstable and be double-minded. It is easy to say that we have faith and constantly doubt.
We continually believe that we have the control and the perfect plans in our lives until it all comes crashing down and then we want to be rescued.
We gasp for air as we try to grab some sense of normalcy and self-control.
Let Go.
God has you in His hands. He has a design and perfect plan for your life.
Let go of the doubt. Let go of the worry and fear. If He can direct a skilled laborer to carefully stitch cherubim into the curtain of the tabernacle, He can stitch your needs into your days.
He can foresee the aching of your heart and send comfort. He can carefully weave His grace and mercy into your life beyond what you can expect, imagine, or do on your very own.
Personal Reflection
We can say that we believe and trust God but living it out is a very different.
Faith is action. Are you ready to take that step today?
Are you ready to lay aside the doubt and the double-minded way of living? What do you hold onto and try to control in your life?
What is the first step you can take today?
Are you ready to confess your doubt and ask God to move you forward in your faith or have you grown too comfortable in your control?
Seeking God Daily is a group that offers hope, encouragement, and support in learning God's Word and applying the truths to our walk with Christ.
We want to encourage one another through authentic, honest and respectful conversation as we earnestly seek Him daily.
Hebrews 11:6 And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him.
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Labels: Double-Minded, Exodus 25 and 26, Faith, God's Perfect Plan, Tabernacle, Trade Doubt for Faith, Unstable
Not in them. Among them. The plan had to be the exact copy of everything that He told them. The details were perfect and laid out in perfect fashion and God expected them to be perfect for Him to dwell among them.
