On our walk to the beach, we braced ourselves against the increasing gusts of wind. Sand streamed across open areas, chased by air that swirled and pushed. As we topped the dune, the froth of crashing waves made white caps on water that a few hours ago had been still and calm. A tropical system offshore was making itself known.

Our walk was shorter than normal due to the buffeting of the wind. Even though the temperature was moderate, our jackets gave welcome warmth and protection from the air chilled by rain and ocean moisture and breeze. We pulled the door closed behind us, thankful for the protection of sturdy walls and roof.

I thought about that this morning as I read from the first chapter of James.

But let him ask in faith, nothing wavering. For he that wavers is like a wave of the sea driven with the wind and tossed. James 1:6

I saw the tossing of those waves today, and I have felt the tossing that comes from a wavering faith in my soul before.

This verse, however, speaks to stability, to unwavering trust in our Father Who loves us with a love so exhaustive that it is undefinable. It speaks to trust. It speaks to relationship.

The more that I know my Father, the more that I know about Him, the more I will trust Him. Faith is a firm foundation, but it calls for me to set both feet firmly on the promises and truth of God’s Word.

Faith is not an in and out proposition. Faith does not pick and choose when and what from the Bible to believe. Faith is all in.

A story is told of a gymnast who perfected the stunt of pushing a wheelbarrow across a high wire. The gymnast performed the stunt without difficulty before an amazed audience. He then chose a man from the audience and asked this question, “Do you believe that I can push this wheelbarrow across the wire without falling.”

The man quickly answered, “Absolutely”.

Again, the gymnast questioned the man, “Are you certain?”

The man replied, “I just saw you do it. I am certain.”

The gymnast’s next statement, however, gave the man pause. “Get in then.”

It is easy to talk about what God can do, about His faithfulness and His promises. When trials come, though, when wisdom is needed, we step back. Anxiousness, rather than faith, reigns. We are tossed like the waves of the sea driven by the wind of trial.

God calls us to stability. He calls us to get into the wheelbarrow and trust Him with every tiny bit of life. Then, when we pray, we pray with the confidence of knowing God, of knowing His care, of knowing His love, of knowing His character.

God calls for us to be all in.

Then when the storms of life begin brewing and the winds of trial buffet our souls, we can remain grounded in Who He is.

Walk in faith today, grounded in the TRUTH of God’s Word, for He IS faithful.

Ephesians 4: ¹⁴ That we henceforth be no more children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, and cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive;

II Timothy 1: ¹² For the which cause I also suffer these things: nevertheless I am not ashamed: for I KNOW WHOM I HAVE BELIEVED, and am persuaded that he is able to keep that which I have committed unto him against that day.

Photos, Storm Brewing, Beth Mims