Digging Deeper: More Than Enough

Avatar photo Kelly Skelton on September 22, 2025

 

Then he said to them, “Watch out! Be on your guard against all kinds of greed; life does not consist in an abundance of possessions.”

 

Luke 12:15 (NIV)


MORE THAN ENOUGH

 

You know the scene: it’s the end of the month, and the kitchen table is covered in bills, scattered like a battlefield. Receipts are tossed from one end to the other—groceries, gas, sports, fast food, the broken dryer. You’re trying to make too little stretch too far. I’m sure we’ve all felt it at some point—that wave of defeat, frustration, and exhaustion. In that moment, it’s easy to wish the month had turned out differently.

Look at Luke, chapter 12. A man in the crowd asks Jesus to settle a financial dispute, but Jesus responds with a warning: “Life does not consist in an abundance of possessions.” He then tells a parable about a rich man who stores up wealth for himself, only to lose it all overnight. He had everything—except what mattered most: a heart rich toward God.

I don’t know about you, but that hits hard for me. Not because I’m hoarding wealth, but because I’ve been tempted to believe that peace comes from having “enough.” As if security is found in a full fridge or a padded savings account. And when those aren’t there, fear creeps in and panic sets up shop. But Jesus reminds us: life is not found in abundance—life is found in Him.

Being “rich toward God” means trusting Him in the stretch and worshiping Him in the lack. It means finding peace not in a perfect number in my bank account, but in my Provider. It’s choosing to believe that even when things are tight, God’s hand is not.

I pray as you start this week that you are reminded life is not found in what you have, but in whose you are. Lord, help us to be rich in faith, generous in spirit, and anchored in Your provision. I pray you can release the weight of feeling like you don’t have enough and realize that He is more than enough.

Kelly Skelton is a Georgia native, raised in the south on Jesus, Georgia football and sweet tea.  She is her husbands’ biggest fan and her two daughters’ loudest cheerleaders.  She recently published her first children’s book titled, But God Had a Plan.  She stays active in the Dallas area as a  photographer, videographer, writer, and middle school teacher.

 

Digging Deeper: Trust God

Avatar photo Sellers Hickman on September 19, 2025

 

1James, a servant of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ,

To the twelve tribes in the Dispersion: Greetings.

2Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, 3for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. 4And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.

5If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives generously to all without reproach, and it will be given him. 6But let him ask in faith, with no doubting, for the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea that is driven and tossed by the wind.

James 1:1-6 (ESV)


TRUST GOD

 

The passage we have studied this week all culminates at the end of verse 6.
Why should we remember, wait on, ask, and obey God? Because we do not want to be tossed around by the doubts that creep in. Doubt can do a number on us if we allow ourselves to sit in it, but each of our topics this week has been fuel to help us stand firm when doubts and the pressures of life come our way.

James ends with the picture of a wave being tossed back and forth by the wind. Without trusting God, we become unstable and are pulled in every direction by circumstances and emotions. But trust anchors us. It doesn’t remove the storm, but it keeps us steady in the middle of it.

We all wrestle with doubt at times. We wonder if God is listening, if He cares, if He’ll come through. Doubt isn’t unusual—we all face it. The danger comes when we allow doubt to define us and leave us spiritually adrift. Trust isn’t the absence of doubt or questions; it’s the choice to believe God’s character even when we don’t see His plan. That’s why James urges us to ask in faith, not wavering. Faith doesn’t mean blind optimism; it means steady confidence in the God who has proven Himself faithful time and time again.

This picture of an anchor is such a helpful example of our faith. An anchor keeps us tethered and steady. It does not remove the waves, but it allows us to stand firm through them by holding us to something greater than the storm. Without an anchor, a boat drifts wherever the current takes it. With an anchor, even though the wind blows and the current pulls, the boat stays secure. That’s the difference between a life built on trust in God and a life built on our own strength.

There are countless stories in God’s Word of people who trusted Him when it didn’t make sense—Noah building an ark before there was rain, Daniel praying despite the threat of the lion’s den, Paul proclaiming the gospel while awaiting trial. None of these men (or the many other examples) were confident in their own determination. They were tethered to something greater than the storms they faced. Their stability wasn’t in circumstances but in God’s unshakable promises.

Trust is not passive; it’s active. It looks like choosing prayer over panic, Scripture over spiraling thoughts, and worship over worry. Trust is strengthened not by avoiding storms but by walking with God through them. Every storm we endure with Him becomes a testimony for the next time the waves rise in our lives.

It all comes back to trust. Trust produces stability. Instead of being tossed by every wave of fear, we stand firm on God’s promises. Instead of spiraling in anxiety, we rest in His presence. Trust transforms storms into shelters where God’s faithfulness is revealed.

So let me ask you again: what area of your life feels most unstable right now? Name it. In that place, choose to trust God today despite the waves that seem to be crashing around you. Don’t let doubt write the story. Anchor your heart in the One who never changes.

When you do, you’ll find that the waves that once terrified you are no longer pulling you under. Instead, they are drawing you closer to the God who holds you fast. And in that closeness, you’ll discover a peace the storm cannot shake and a hope the wind cannot steal.

Sellers Hickman serves as College & Teaching Pastor at NorthStar Church and loves cheering on his Ole Miss Rebels. He and his wife, Hannah, live in Dallas, Ga. with their two daughters. He also serves as the chaplain for the KSU Men’s Basketball team.

 

Digging Deeper: Obey God

Avatar photo Sellers Hickman on September 18, 2025

 

6But let him ask in faith, with no doubting, for the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea that is driven and tossed by the wind.

James 1:6 (ESV)


OBEY GOD

 

It’s one thing to ask God for wisdom, but it’s another to act when He grants it.
In this passage, James connects asking with believing, because true asking assumes obedience. If you’re unwilling to obey, then your asking is just lip service. Obedience stretches our faith because it requires trust. It’s easy to agree with God in theory. It’s much harder to put His Word into practice—especially when it challenges our comfort zones or calls us to give up control.

Obedience costs us. Forgiving someone means releasing bitterness. Serving others means sacrificing time and energy. Speaking truth means risking rejection. Saying no to temptation means denying desire. But true obedience is where faith becomes real. It’s the bridge between hearing and living, between belief and practice. Without it, faith is just an idea that never leaves our heads.

Think back to Peter stepping out of the boat in Matthew 14. Peter asked Jesus to call him. We don’t know his true intention—maybe he was just testing Jesus, trying to sound more spiritual than the other disciples. Regardless, Jesus responded to Peter’s request and told him to come out on the water. Peter then had a choice to make. He might have believed that Jesus could enable him to walk on water, but there was a moment where he had to act on that belief and climb out of the boat. That one step turned belief into obedience.

Sometimes we imagine obedience only in big, dramatic decisions. But often it’s the small, daily steps of obedience that stretch our faith the most. It stretches us to be honest at work when it will cost us. It stretches us to show kindness to a neighbor when it’s inconvenient. It stretches us to be faithful in prayer when life feels busy. See, obedience is a posture of the heart that shows up in the details of life.

How can you grow in obedience today?

  1. Start with what you know — God has made His Word clear. It won’t necessarily answer every decision you face, but there is enough in Scripture to guide you to love God, love people, and live sent.

  2. Obey quickly — You know as well as I do: the longer you wait to obey, the harder it gets. We rationalize disobedience the more we put it off.

  3. Obey fully — I’ve heard it said before: partial obedience is disobedience. God’s call on our lives is not to pick and choose the parts we like or find easy. He calls us to total surrender.

  4. Obey joyfully — If I haven’t lost you yet, this is the most important part. These four steps get harder as they go, but this last one is often the most difficult. It requires a shift in perspective to see that obedience isn’t a burden but an opportunity to honor God.

Let me remind you: obedience feels costly in the moment, but it always leads to blessing in the long run. This blessing may not be material or immediate, but obedience brings peace, intimacy with God, and freedom from guilt.

So where has God been clearly calling you—and where have you been putting Him off? How can you take a step toward obedience today? Don’t just ask for wisdom. Act on it. That’s where faith becomes sight.

 

Sellers Hickman serves as College & Teaching Pastor at NorthStar Church and loves cheering on his Ole Miss Rebels. He and his wife, Hannah, live in Dallas, Ga. with their two daughters. He also serves as the chaplain for the KSU Men’s Basketball team.

 

Generational Purpose

Kevin Burrell on September 17, 2025

 

 

“Now when David had served God’s purpose in his own generation, he died.”

Acts 13:36

 

GENERATIONAL PURPOSE

When watching football game highlights, we frequently hear the words “impact player.” A player who makes a game-saving tackle, interception, catch, or scores the winning touchdown or field goal is referred to as an “impact player” for his performance. Unfortunately, the term is used so often that it carries little meaning.

Some people end up giving their lives for the sake of a cause or to serve someone other than themselves. Such a person was former Arizona Cardinals safety Pat Tillman. Tillman was a high-energy player in the NFL who gained fame for his unrelenting play and ability to rise to any challenge. After the terrorist attacks of 9/11, Tillman turned down a lucrative multi-million-dollar contract from the Cardinals to join the U.S. Army and serve his country. In the end, Pat Tillman lost his life not on the football field, but on the battlefield. He “served God’s purpose in his own generation.”

In a similar way, David’s life was not defined by perfection but by purpose. He stumbled, he sinned, and he failed. He experienced seasons of triumph and seasons of despair. Yet Scripture summarizes his life with this simple, profound statement: he “served God’s purpose in his own generation.” That was the measure of his life.

The same is true for us. We are not called to live in another time or to carry someone else’s assignment. God has placed us here, in this generation, at this time, with its unique challenges, opportunities, and needs. Your purpose is now. God has woven into you gifts, passions, skills, abilities, and experiences that were meant for this very moment in history.

Listen closely: Just like David, there will come a day when your work on earth is complete—not a moment too soon and not a moment too late. Until then, every breath is a chance to serve the purpose of God—whether through faithful obedience in small things, courage in difficult moments, or love that reflects Christ in a broken and hopeless world.

The question isn’t how long you will live, but how faithfully you will live. Are you seeking your own agenda, or are you surrendered to God’s purpose? Are you busy with what will fade away, or are you investing in what will last forever?

“For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also” (Matthew 6:21).

For whatever time you have left on this earth, “serve God’s purpose in your own generation.” Leave a mark with your life that will outlive you when you are gone.

Love God. Love people. Live sent.

Be Worth Being.

Kevin

 

 

 

Kevin Burrell has worked in professional baseball as both a player and MLB scout for the past 44 years, and currently serves as an area scouting supervisor. Kevin was drafted in the 1st round of the 1981 free agent amateur draft (25th selection overall), and played ten years of professional baseball with four different organizations. He and his wife, Valerie, live in Sharpsburg, Ga.

Digging Deeper: Ask God

Avatar photo Sellers Hickman on September 17, 2025

 

5If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives generously to all without reproach, and it will be given him.

James 1:5 (ESV)


ASK GOD

 

Have you ever thought to yourself, “Is this wise?”
It’s a very valid question we often ask—when making big purchases, planning trips, navigating friendships, or deciding what food to eat. Some choices are small and seemingly insignificant, while others carry long-term impact. Either way, we often pause and wonder, “Is this the best thing to do?”

James 1:5 gives us a simple yet profound answer: Why don’t you just ask God?

One of the simplest commands in Scripture is also one of the most life-changing: ask God. James says if we lack wisdom, we should simply ask—because God gives generously. Not reluctantly. Not sparingly. Generously.

Think about that for a moment. The Creator of the universe—the same God who spoke galaxies into existence—invites you to bring Him your questions, your confusion, your decisions, and your needs. He promises not to scold you for asking. He won’t shame you for your uncertainty. Instead, He will give generously. What a picture of grace!

Now here’s the tension: if the invitation to ask God for wisdom is so clear, and if He promises to give generously, why do we often struggle to ask? Maybe it’s pride—we want to prove we can handle things on our own. Maybe it’s fear—what if God’s wisdom leads us somewhere uncomfortable? Maybe it’s doubt—we’re not sure if God really cares about the details of our lives.

In our heads, there are a million reasons not to ask, but James pushes us past all of them. He reminds us that God’s character isn’t stingy or reluctant. He delights to give His children wisdom when they ask.

It’s worth noting that James doesn’t say God will give us information. At the click of a button, you can learn how to fix a sink, change a tire, cook a gourmet meal, or even plan your retirement. There are blogs, podcasts, YouTube videos, and endless “expert” opinions on every topic under the sun. Information is easy to come by.

But wisdom is something far deeper. Information can tell you what to do, but wisdom helps you discern when and how to do it. Wisdom applies God’s truth to real-life situations. It takes knowledge and transforms it into righteous action. It helps you hold your tongue instead of stirring up division. It teaches you to forgive even when bitterness feels easier. It guides you to be patient when everything in life is pushing you faster.

Here’s the beauty of wisdom: it isn’t reserved for the super-spiritual. It’s not locked away behind a seminary degree or a certain number of years following the Lord. James says it is available to anyone who asks. That means you—right now—in whatever situation you’re facing.

But here’s the catch: wisdom doesn’t always come with the answer we want. Sometimes God calls us to things we would rather not do. Wisdom doesn’t always align with our instincts. But it always leads us closer to His heart.

So where do you need wisdom right now? Identify one specific area—family, work, finances, relationships—and bring it before God. Stop trying to figure it all out on your own. Stop carrying the weight of every decision as if it’s all on your shoulders. The God who knows the end from the beginning is inviting you to ask Him.

And when you do, trust His answer. It may not be what you expect, but it will be exactly what you need.

Sellers Hickman serves as College & Teaching Pastor at NorthStar Church and loves cheering on his Ole Miss Rebels. He and his wife, Hannah, live in Dallas, Ga. with their two daughters. He also serves as the chaplain for the KSU Men’s Basketball team.

 

Digging Deeper: Wait on God

Avatar photo Sellers Hickman on September 16, 2025

 

4And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.

James 1:4 (ESV)


WAIT ON GOD

 

Waiting does not come easy nowadays. Amazon Prime one-day shipping doesn’t feel fast enough sometimes. The drive-through takes too long. I-75 South was too slow, so you got a Peach Pass—and now even that isn’t as fast as you’d like. We live in a culture of instant gratification, and when things don’t happen in our timing, it’s easy to get frustrated. Waiting stretches us in unusual ways because it is so countercultural simply to wait.

James tells us in verse 4 that steadfastness must have its full effect. Can I be honest? That doesn’t sound quick. But James is saying that in order for us to grow, it will take time. Waiting is not wasted time. In fact, it may be the very place where God wants to do His best work in you.

None of us like to wait. But God sees something bigger. Think back to Genesis and the story of Abram. God promised him descendants who would outnumber the stars. There was only one problem: he had no children, and he was 75 years old. This was a promise God had made to him, but it did not begin to materialize for another 25 years! (God must not have believed in Amazon Prime.) Abram even became impatient with God and tried to take matters into his own hands through his servant Hagar.

This is the reality of waiting—it reveals who we trust and how dependent we are on God. If every prayer were answered instantly, would we truly depend on the Lord? If God supernaturally provided everything we ever desired, would we even believe that we needed Him?

In a strange way, waiting becomes a gift. It forces us to slow down, unclench our grip on control, and live in a posture of faith. Waiting strips away the illusion of self-sufficiency and reminds us that we are not God. Honestly, I wonder if waiting is one of the Lord’s ways of training our hearts to remember that we are fully dependent on Him.

So how can we wait well?

  1. Stay rooted in Scripture — When God feels silent, His Word still speaks. Fill your mind with His promises while you wait.

  2. Pray honestly — Waiting isn’t about pretending you’re okay. Pour out your frustration and weariness to God. He can handle it!

  3. Be patient with others — Seasons of waiting can make us irritable because we feel unsteady. Let the Spirit use this time to grow your gentleness and grace toward those around you.

  4. Look back at His faithfulness — Waiting means you don’t yet know the end of the story. Take heart in how God has written past chapters of your life. Remind yourself of how He has proven Himself faithful before.

Let’s be honest: waiting can hurt. It can bring tears, frustration, and moments of deep despair. Some of you may have been waiting for years—for healing, restoration, or breakthrough. James isn’t minimizing that pain. Instead, he challenges us to lift our eyes to the bigger picture. Waiting is never wasted. God is completing something in you that can only be formed through time.

Today, make the daily choice to trust God in your waiting. Don’t rush the process. Don’t despise the delay. God may be using this very season to shape your heart, strengthen your faith, and prepare you for something greater than you could ever imagine!

Sellers Hickman serves as College & Teaching Pastor at NorthStar Church and loves cheering on his Ole Miss Rebels. He and his wife, Hannah, live in Dallas, Ga. with their two daughters. He also serves as the chaplain for the KSU Men’s Basketball team.

 

Digging Deeper: Remember God

Avatar photo Sellers Hickman on September 15, 2025

 

2Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, 3for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness.

James 1:2-3 (ESV)


REMEMBER GOD

 

Those two words don’t seem like they belong in the same sentence (especially after the difficult few weeks we’ve been experiencing). When life is painful and relationships are strained, when finances are tight, joy is usually the last emotion we want to feel. Yet James opens his letter by telling believers to “count it all joy” when they face trials.

That’s not how most of us respond. When we’re stretched thin by life, our first instinct is usually frustration, not joy. We ask questions like, “Why is this happening?” or “Where is God in this?”

But James reminds us of something crucial: God is at work in our trials. When our faith is tested, perseverance grows. Trials are not wasted; they are a training ground for faith.

James doesn’t suggest that we might face trials—he knows we will face them. He is preparing us for what’s inevitable. Faith is ultimately grown under pressure. Just as a muscle grows when pushed to its limits, faith strengthens when it’s stretched beyond comfort. Without the stretching of our faith, we would remain shallow and fragile—pushed around by the wind and easily deceived. With trials, our faith becomes resilient, deep, and real.

Do we wish trials upon ourselves? Absolutely not! But when we face trials, our response reveals a lot about the God we believe in. I encourage you to remember these three things when a trial comes your way: God’s character, purpose, and presence.

  • God’s Character — God is faithful. His character never changes. Just because we are walking through hardship does not mean that God is any less good.

  • God’s Purpose — God uses difficulties to grow us, not destroy us. It may feel like trials are out of line with God’s purpose, but what if they are the very thing He is using to shape you into who He created you to be?

  • God’s Presence — You are not alone in this. God is near to you, even in the trial.

James isn’t calling us to fake happiness in hard times. He’s not saying, “Fake it until you make it.” Instead, he points us to a deeper joy—a joy that can coexist with grief, hardship, and struggle. Joy isn’t denial; it’s remembering God’s bigger picture. Joy is the assurance that God is producing something eternal through our suffering.

Paul echoes this in Romans 5:3–4: “Not only that, but we rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance, and endurance produces character, and character produces hope.”

Joy isn’t found in the trial itself, but in the God who works through the trial and holds us in it.

Maybe today you need the reminder of what comes on the other side of trials: a mature faith—steady and unshakable.

Here’s my challenge for the next time you face a trial: Write this on a piece of paper and display it in your car—

“Count it all joy.
God is at work in this.”

 

Sellers Hickman serves as College & Teaching Pastor at NorthStar Church and loves cheering on his Ole Miss Rebels. He and his wife, Hannah, live in Dallas, Ga. with their two daughters. He also serves as the chaplain for the KSU Men’s Basketball team.

 

Digging Deeper – Forgive and Be Forgiven

Avatar photo Chris Boggess on September 12, 2025

 

So if you are offering your gift at the altar and there remember that your brother has something against you, 24 leave your gift there before the altar and go. First be reconciled to your brother, and then come and offer your gift.

Matthew 5:23-24

 

For if you forgive others their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you, 15 but if you do not forgive others their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.

Matthew 6:14-15

 


DEEDS NOT WORDS

Today, as we approach the act of forgiveness, I see this more as a reminder than a new idea. We all know, logically, that holding on to past grievances doesn’t impact the person who committed them nearly as much as it affects our own lives. Refusing to forgive keeps us stuck in the moment of the hurt, while the other person is probably not even thinking about it.

For that very reason, I think Matthew 5:23–24 is so thought-provoking. It is easy for us to forget the things we’ve done to others, but in this passage Jesus tells us to be mindful of what others might have against us. That is not at all how we usually think. Thinking this way requires intentional self-evaluation. As we looked at earlier in the week, we tend to judge ourselves by our intentions. So when we realize that someone has something against us, it’s easy to excuse our actions by saying what we did “wasn’t that bad” and that the person holding it against us is the one in the wrong. But these verses don’t take right and wrong into account at all. Jesus is only talking about the fractured relationship—and He says it’s on us to try to fix it before we point our hearts heavenward. He is pointing us back to the “Love God, Love People” command. He is reminding us of the connection between our relationships with others and our relationship with God.

Then Matthew 6 reinforces that same connection. If we want to have a right and forgiving relationship with God, we must cultivate that same kind of relationship with the people around us.

We all know we need God’s forgiveness, but sometimes we also feel like we need to forgive God. Not because He has wronged us—He hasn’t—but because in our pain, disappointment, or waiting, it can feel that way. I know I’ve had times when I consciously or unconsciously felt God wasn’t treating me fairly. I was waiting for an answer or struggling through a painful season, and I didn’t like it. Forgiveness, even in this sense, is a choice: to let go of that ill feeling (whether justified or not) and move forward in trust.

Take a moment and evaluate your own life. Are there people you need to forgive? Are there people you need to ask for forgiveness? Are there areas of your life where you need God’s forgiveness? Are there places where you are holding a grudge against Him? Ask God to reveal those things to you, and take time today to make them right.

 

Chris Boggess is the Next Generation/Family Pastor at NorthStar Church. He grew up in St. Albans, West Virginia, and still cheers for the Mountaineers. He and his wife, Heather, have two grown children and one granddaughter.

Digging Deeper – Deeds Not Words

Avatar photo Chris Boggess on September 11, 2025

 

“What do you think? A man had two sons. And he went to the first and said, ‘Son, go and work in the vineyard today.’ 29 And he answered, ‘I will not,’ but afterward he changed his mind and went. 30 And he went to the other son and said the same. And he answered, ‘I will, sir,’ but did not go. 31 Which of the two did the will of his father?” They said, “The first.” Jesus said to them, “Truly, I say to you, the tax collectors and the prostitutes go into the kingdom of God before you. 32 For John came to you in the way of righteousness, and you did not believe him, but the tax collectors and the prostitutes believed him. And even when you saw it, you did not afterward change your minds and believe him.”

Matthew 21:28-32


DEEDS NOT WORDS

When I was a kid, a movie came out called Megaforce. I wouldn’t recommend it—unless you’re in the mood for a cheesy action flick. Before its release in the summer of 1982, I remember seeing ads for Megaforce on the back covers of many comics (I was an avid comic reader). The ad showed a tall, muscular guy with his arm around a girl in a red dress. All around him were cool, futuristic military vehicles with guns blazing. It looked amazing to my teenage self! Written across the top of the ad in simulated neon letters was the phrase: “DEEDS NOT WORDS.”

The movie turned out to be disappointing, but that phrase really stuck in my head. I thought it was cool.

If we want to build a relationship with anyone, what we do is more important than what we say. It’s usually only in dysfunctional relationships that words are given priority over actions. If someone claims to be your friend but constantly makes excuses not to spend time with you, and never does anything you ask, you’d be foolish to keep calling them your friend.

Our relationship with God works the same way. If we attend church, recite all the right words, sing every worship song in the correct key, and take notes on the app during the message—but then live like the devil for the rest of the week—our actions and words are not aligned. No matter how well we talk about God, it’s our actions that give us away.

Eugene Peterson put it this way: “Each act of obedience by the Christian is a modest proof, unequivocal for all its imperfection, of the reality of what he attests.” Or, in the words of the old children’s song: “Obedience is the very best way to show what you believe.”

What do your DEEDS say about your relationship with God? Do you spend time with Him? Do you make obedience to Him a priority? Take a moment to pray and ask God to show you where you’re falling short—and then take action to address it.

 

Chris Boggess is the Next Generation/Family Pastor at NorthStar Church. He grew up in St. Albans, West Virginia, and still cheers for the Mountaineers. He and his wife, Heather, have two grown children and one granddaughter.

Digging Deeper – Faith Over Time

Avatar photo Chris Boggess on September 10, 2025

 

“By faith Abraham obeyed when he was called to go out to a place that he was to receive as an inheritance. And he went out, not knowing where he was going.”

Hebrews 11:8


FAITH OVER TIME

We talked yesterday about Abraham’s relationship with God and his communication with Him. Today, we’ll look at a different aspect of that relationship. The keyword is relationship. Abraham didn’t view God as just a force in his life, nor did he see God as a vending machine into which he deposited worship and then received whatever he desired. God was a living personality with whom Abraham interacted on a daily basis.

Eugene Peterson, in his book A Long Obedience in the Same Direction, summed up the way many people think about faith today:

“Too often we think of religion as a far-off, mysteriously run bureaucracy to which we apply for assistance when we feel the need. We go to a local branch office and direct the clerk (sometimes called a pastor) to fill out our order for God. Then we go home and wait for God to be delivered to us according to the specifications that we have set down. But that is not the way it works. And if we thought about it for two consecutive minutes, we would not want it to work that way.”

We want God on our terms and our timeline. When He doesn’t present Himself that way or fails to meet our deadlines, we question what He’s up to. In relationships, that kind of behavior—though common—is not healthy. We often judge others’ actions (including God’s) and assign motives to those actions. The irony is that we don’t judge ourselves that way. We look at our own motives and use them to justify our actions, however wrong they may be. We say things like, “I didn’t mean to,” as if good intentions erase the impact our actions have on others.

Throughout the Bible, we see people questioning God. When Job questioned God’s motive behind his suffering, God responded, “Who is this that darkens counsel by words without knowledge?” (Job 38:2)—essentially saying, “You don’t know what you’re talking about.” In Isaiah, God says, “For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, declares the LORD.” (Isaiah 55:8), reminding us that His motives are often beyond our understanding.

With Abraham, we see someone willing to trust that God is doing the right thing even when he doesn’t understand it. He trusts when God tells him to move. He trusts when God promises him a son. He even trusts when God asks him to place that son on an altar. Abraham trusted God on God’s terms. When things didn’t make sense, he looked back at years of God’s faithfulness. That kind of faith doesn’t arrive overnight like a Prime delivery—it takes time and work, just like any lasting relationship.

Healthy relationships are not built in a moment but over time. Abraham saw that his obedience continually led him back to God’s faithfulness. Take a moment to examine your own life. Is the same true for you? Can you see times when your obedience to God has been met with His faithfulness? Is there an area where you’re questioning whether God has your best interests in mind? Go to Him and tell Him.

Chris Boggess is the Next Generation/Family Pastor at NorthStar Church. He grew up in St. Albans, West Virginia, and still cheers for the Mountaineers. He and his wife, Heather, have two grown children and one granddaughter.