A Leap Of Faith

    I’ll never forget the summer of 1999. Why? Because it was my first BIG leap of faith. Just two years after graduating from Charleston Southern University, I was back living in my hometown of St. George, SC. I was serving full time as a youth/children’s pastor at a local church.

    My wife and I had a nice house, great support and few challenges. We were living just minutes from family and friends and for sure enjoying life in our comfort zone. Then God asked us to take a huge leap of faith.

     Aimee and I had been visiting a few different schools seeking to determine what school God would have me attend to get my Masters in Christian Education. We visited a seminary in North Carolina, Kentucky, and then drove 18 hours away to Fort Worth, Texas. After our visits, we felt certain that God was leading us to move to the Lone Star state.

     So, when we got back home from our visit we began preparing for our move. We sat down with our families and informed them we would be moving away for a few years to Texas. Then God willing we would move back close to home.

     Two weeks went by after feeling so certain and excited about this decision. Then, Aimee and I found out that we were expecting our first child. Suddenly this decision did not feel so easy, nor did it excite us anymore. How could we move 18 hours away from home with our first child?

We were scared, unsettled, and doing everything we could to tell God why we should stay in South Carolina. I even took out a sheet of paper and created two columns for my argument. Column A read: “REASONS TO STAY”. Column B read: “REASONS TO GO”. Under “Reasons to stay” I had an endless argument of why we should stay in SC. Under “Reasons to go” I could only write down three words.           GOD SAID SO.

     Night after night, I tossed and turned over this decision. I cried, I prayed and I finally quit fighting with God. I finally, said YES GOD, wherever you lead, I will go. Whatever you want I will trust is best for me and my family.

     So, we loaded up a 25 foot long Moving Truck, packed in all our belongings, and made this God move. (THIS HUGE FAITH MOVE) to Fort Worth, Texas. (Just me, Aimee, and now a 5 month old) Honestly, we had no idea how we would make it. But, from that point forward we just followed God’s leading every step of the way. God provided, guided and rewarded this huge faith step in our lives.

     Since that day, we’ve learned to follow God promptly. No matter what and no matter where He leads. He has proven His faithfulness to us time and time again. I sincerely believe that had I not taken that faith step then I would have missed many faith steps thereafter.

    Someone reading this right now is at a crossroads. You hear God calling you to take a BIG leap of faith, but you’re afraid to leave your comfort zone. My friends, the only way to reach your God-given potential is to “walk by faith, not by sight.” Once you cross that bridge to God’s will you’ll discover a life otherwise impossible. God will take you places you never dreamed or imagine.

 (Hebrews 11:6)(NIV) 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.

*Join Pastor Craig any Sunday, 10:30a.m. @ the Colleton Rec Center. Come as you are to Refuge Church and learn how to walk by faith, not by sight.