Faith vs. Fear

Hip-hip hooray for the 6am entrance into this day's happenings. It started with the usual--prayer, coffee and devotional time. I seriously intended to do more scripture study than I did but ended up finishing my weekly devotional for liveasif.org. Thinking about its contents, what makes me obey God's plan for my life? Furthermore, how do I know it is God's plan? On Sunday, I listened to my pastor say that one of the greatest heroes of our Christian faith told him that there were three things that he's done for over 50 years that have led to success in his life:

1) Hear what God says

2) Believe God said it

3) Try his best to do it

A formula to live by? I believe so. As i told my wife the other day though, what if you get hung up on #2. That is the most difficult part of the formula for me. What happens when you hear what God says, but don't believe it was God? Or maybe have uncertainty that it was God. There are so many voices in my head these days that cause "distractions" to my thought pattern. What resource is available to resolve this dilemma? I believe there are many resources. My fellowship with the community in which I believe is one. I've had the most interesting last 30 days in life where people whom I love and trust in the same God I do have reached out to me and provided assistance to me in times of uncertainty. How do these individuals cross my path at the exact moment I need them? Do they have a sixth sense to speak of? Doubtful. But their desire to be connected with the body of Christ automatically links us together. My desire to seek a deeper knowledge of the one I trust in. I trust in the work of Jesus on cross. What follows is a desire to discern his voice from "other voices". I have experienced sermon after sermon, passage after passage confirming his plan for me. What is left then? Just my ability to live by faith or fear. Those direct opposites are the very thing on which my sanity hangs. I choose faith. Not faith in me or my ability--but faith in God. This faith subjects me to one that is greater, stronger and bigger than any fear I could ever face.