Faith Defined

In Hebrews 11:1, we see what Biblical faith is:

“Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.”

I have always struggled with defining faith. Hebrews 11:1 is a good definition but it is still hard for me.  The first time I went on a road trip to Austin to go check out UT, I had just spent 2 years at Midland Junior College.  I have never been to Austin at all but I was going to take the leap.  Now the map said that I would find Austin if I just follow the certain roads.  I had to trust the map. 

I started off recognizing some of the land marks leaving Midland but I soon found myself in unfamiliar places driving on some road I had never been on.  I would constantly check the map and make sure I was on the right road every time I would hit a small town or see a sign that said “Brady TX 20 miles.”  Those little signs and the map saved me. 

I finally got to Austin where I had to use a whole different set of maps.  Today, I can tell you where to go all over this side of Texas because I have lived here for years. The roads have been burned into my mind because I drive them every day. 

Faith is the same way.  Just like how I had to trust little signs along my way to Austin the first time, God gave us the Bible which is His road map full of signs.  It may be a little scary at first and things may look unfamiliar, but you have to keep reading and believing, just like I had to on my way to Austin.  You back at the years that went by and you notice that your faith has grown. You also notice that you have not had trouble trusting in God for the same things you once struggled over.  Instead, you find yourself helping other people on their faith walk because you have been there before and you can encourage them. 

Some of us get too scared, turn around, and go back to the familiar roads we know only to miss out on the journey of faith.  Faith is my 6th sense if you will.  I still get scared on the journey and a little panic comes out when I don’t know where I am. But God has always given me a sign on my faith walk and it gets me further down the road of life. I know that if He gave me a sign before then He will do it again. Now that is faith.