Walking in Faith

All of my life, when asked, "What is faith?", I have been able to quickly recite the definition of faith as we know it from Hebrews 11:1. "Faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen."  It always seemed like a vague answer.  How does that translate to my life?  We even use the wording, "I am walking in faith," in a particular area of our lives, which means, we are walking by faith and not by sight.  Even when we use it like that, we are still, usually,  "walking in faith" for something that pertains to the physical world, such as, a job opportunity, money needed for something, changing schools, or even doing something you think you are supposed to do.  These are all things that exist in this physical world.  In essence, then, many times, we can see it.  Through my recent experience of losing my beautiful, godly husband, I have experienced the truth in this verse in a dimension that I never have before.

My Bible has a footnote, which says, "Faith is established conviction concerning things unseen and settled expectation of future reward." It also says that we can use the word "realization" in place of substance....faith is the realization of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen. In the Amplified translation it says, "Now faith is the assurance(the confirmation, the title deed ) of the things we hope for, being the proof of things we do not see and the conviction of their reality - faith perceiving as real fact what is not revealed to the senses."  Since Michael's tragic death, my faith has boiled down to this essential truth.  I am now assured of the things I hope for; there is one, all powerful God, a savior in Jesus Christ, a heaven, a redemption plan, that Michael is experiencing this now,  all of the God's children will be gathered together in heaven one day, we win this battle here on earth, all things come together for good to those who love the Lord.  These are all things that I cannot see. My faith is now a conviction of their reality.  I am out there having to walk on water in a storm, with my hand reaching out to Jesus, knowing that, just because my eyes are on Him, I am not going to sink or drown.

This makes me think of a standard law of physics I learned during my days of being a gymnast.  When you are doing a tumbling pass, be it a back handspring, a back tuck, punch front, or a lay out with a full twist, your eyes and your head must turn towards the direction you intend to go in order to complete the pass without injury and to land it properly.  Your body will not go the correct direction without your eyes turned, in faith, where you want your body to go.  Walking on water in the middle of a storm or even on still waters requires you to "know that you know" what you believe.  I am having to perceive as real fact what is not being revealed to my senses.  I am reaching and looking to something I cannot see but I have to know is there.  I am not even reaching or looking right now for anything in the physical world.   I am just "walking in faith" that God's word is true, He is everything He says He is, and He is there surrounding me with His presence, whether I see Him or not.  I have a conviction of these realities.  Faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see.