...is probably amongst the most quoted verses in the Bible: “Now faith is the substance of things hoped for; the evidence of things not seen” powerful within itself right? Everyone always wants evidence, you know kinda “I’ll believe if somebody gives me some concrete proof” which just as a side note, it amazes me that people act as if they do God a favor by believeing in Him. Unlike most positions in the world, God does not need our belief in order to be who He is, He just is God. If everyone in the world decided that they no longer wish to aknowledge or respect George W. Bush as the president of the United States then he would no longer have the power of the office; it’s only by our yielding to the general concensus that he is president. You know, can’t be a leader if no one follows. God, however, if no one ever again chooses to believe in Him, will still be God. It’s my priviledge to know Him and have knowledge of Him… WTW? Human beings are amazing… NEway, back to the point, That verse makes clear that Faith is the evidence. “Well how do you know God is real? How do you know this for sure, how do you know that, where’s the proof?” I know it by faith. My faith is my proof, it’s my evidence it’s my supporting documents. So to my real point, I really love the stuff that follows that verse. The writer just goes off on a list of important things in history that were done only by faith. He says by faith Abraham did this, Noah did that, Moses did the other thing. It just gives me sooo much joy to know that I am following in the footsteps of some mighty people. It was by faith and faith alone that Abraham left his home, leaving behind loved ones and a hefty inheritence. It made so much sense for him to just stay where he was and keep the security of the life that he’d always planned for himself. Instead, he packed up his stuff a few folk and just left, no idea where he was going, just trusting that this God who’d told him to go would provide for his needs. It was by faith that Noah began to build an ark in the middle of dry land where rain was yet unheardof trusting God as the people around him called him crazy for spending all his time, effort and money on something that seemed stupid. It just all gets me way too excited. I will go wherever He calls me. It doesn’t make sense, sometimes it seems like I’m setting out with no real clear destination. I’m leaving the security of a lucrative medical career, leaving behind my loved ones and the comfort of home, i have no idea how it all works out, no one’s ever done this before, people around me think I’m either insane, stupid or both, none of it makes any earthly sense, but by faith I will follow… wherever He leads I will go… Maybe I’m crazy, but I am literally putting up my life; I am betting my life that what I’ve found is truth. Everyone is really betting their lives on something. If you are not a believer, you are betting your life that it all ends at what we see and that there is no afterlife in which you will reap the death and damnation that we all so richly deserve. We all have to go all in on something and by faith i’m gonna go with the Lord. I bet my life that there is something beyond this tangible world; that if i am steadfast in the faith I will be afforded God’s mercy to save me from the death and hell that I deserve and His grace to reap the eternal reward of abundant life in His presence.