The Plank

Have you ever said, “I’ve done everything I can. Now I have no choice but to trust in God”? As if He’s our LAST resort? Or have you ever noticed how, sometimes, taking a step out in faith feels just like you’re walking the plank, dreading to step off & plunge into the depths? I’ve been there, and maybe you have too.

Jesus said, “If you had faith like a mustard seed, you would say to this mulberry tree, ‘Be uprooted and be planted in the sea’, and it would obey you.” (Luke 17:6, NAS) Well, I don't know about you, but I haven’t exactly been moving any trees lately, so that must mean that my faith is absolutely INFINITESIMAL! Many times, it feels as if I’m failing more than succeeding! I can’t number the times I have asked God to teach me how to find that type of faith. At some point in the struggle, I’m usually forced to ask myself, “Am I making this ‘faith thing’ much more complicated than it needs to be?” The answer is usually a resounding “YES!!”

Remember that story in the Bible where Peter stepped out of the boat onto the sea? For just a moment, Peter got it! He kept his eyes on Jesus, & knew the joy of walking on water! What an incredible RUSH!! But then Peter noticed the winds, & down he went (Matthew 14:25-33). Sounds like me! I see the circumstances all around me, & it’s as if someone has “sunk my battleship”! Down I go, my fledgling faith forgotten as I plummet to the depths.

Jesus said, “Look at the birds of the air, that they do not sow, nor reap nor gather into barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not worth much more than they? And who of you by being worried can add a single hour to his life?...Seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be added to you. So do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will care for itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.” (Matthew 6:26-34, NAS)

When I’m struggling, I have to keep reminding myself that His voice is the voice of truth! After I read His Word & quiet my heart in prayer, I discover that walking that “plank of faith” isn’t quite so hard...

Oh, what I would do to have the kind of faith it takes
To climb out of this boat I'm in, onto the crashing waves!
To step out of my comfort zone, into the realm of the unknown
Where Jesus is, and He's holding out His hand...

But the waves are calling out my name, and they laugh at me,
Reminding me of all the times I've tried before and failed.
The waves, they keep on telling me, time and time again:
"Boy, you'll never win! You'll never win!"

But the Voice of Truth tells me a different story!
The Voice of Truth says, "Do not be afraid!"
The Voice of Truth says, "This is for My glory!"
Out of all the voices calling out to me,
I will choose to listen and believe the Voice of Truth.

Oh, what I would do to have the kind of strength it takes
To stand before a giant with just a sling and a stone.
Surrounded by the sound of a thousand warriors shaking in their armor,
Wishing they'd have had the strength to stand.

But the giant's calling out my name and he laughs at me,
Reminding me of all the times I've tried before and failed.
The giant keeps on telling me, time and time again,
"Boy, you'll never win! You'll never win!"

But the Voice of Truth tells me a different story!
The Voice of Truth says, "Do not be afraid!"
The Voice of Truth says, "This is for My glory!"
Out of all the voices calling out to me,
I will choose to listen and believe the Voice of Truth.

But the stone was just the right size
To put the giant on the ground.
And the waves, they don't seem so high
From on top of them lookin' down.
I will soar with the wings of eagles
When I stop and listen to
The sound of Jesus singing over me.

The Voice of Truth tells me a different story!
The Voice of Truth says, "Do not be afraid!"
The Voice of Truth says, "This is for My glory!"
Out of all the voices calling out to me,
I will choose to listen and believe,
I will choose to listen and believe
The Voice of Truth.

I will listen and believe,
I will listen and believe the Voice of Truth.
I will listen and believe, because
Jesus, You are the Voice of Truth,
And I will listen to You.

~~”The Voice of Truth” by Mark Hall/Casting Crowns (Album: Casting Crowns, 2003)