As I approach a month long fast, I usually know what to expect. However, as a wise man said, “We can make our plans, but the LORD determines our steps” (Proverbs 16:9, NLT). So, for those times when I am invited to indulge in something I love, like an autumn festival, I need wisdom in forgoing the event or just limiting my participation to keep my commitment to not eating dairy and sugar, or even be on Facebook. These times of fasting produce opportunities for me to practice trusting and obeying by faith. I am trusting that God will work all the details out as I step forward in faith looking for His direction as I purposely follow His plan and keep my pledge.

This is just a simple illustration of how faith is seen during a fast.

Yet, through every circumstance of life, God calls us to put our faith on display for a watching world. He reveals Who He is and what He can do, as we trust Him with our experiences. Our faith has the potential to be observed as we move forward stepping out in confident trust to go on a Mission’s trip or call someone to offer an apology, and even when we undergo the very difficult seasons of life like a divorce, a doctor’s findings, or the death of a loved one.

Maybe God is calling YOU to step out in faith!

It might feel as though a heavy fog is blanketing your path and you just do not understand what God is doing. Yet, by faith, you can entrust all your doubts, fears, and questions to the Sovereign Lord. All He is asking for you to do is to take that next step. Just keep going, taking the next step, and the next, by faith.

During my 2019 September Fast, I shared a quote that resonated with me. In the book, The Kingdom of God Visualized, Ray E. Baughman wrote: “The Life of Faith is the only one that will please God.” The life of faith is the only one that will please God! We only get this one life to live as God’s showman, so live it by faith and please God! We only have this moment, we are not promised the next, so live it by faith and please God!

Without Faith it is impossible to please God.

Hebrews 11:6

Pleasing God is to realize:

“All of these people earned a good reputation because of their faith,

            Yet

none of them received all that God had promised.” Hebrews 11:39

One day, ALL of God’s promises will be realized, giving great purpose to keep exercising your faith muscles.