Is Big Faith Always Biblical Faith?

On every turn, American preachers encourage us to ‘DREAM BIG!’ We're told that this is the very nature of faith- FAITH IS BIG! (That's why it can bring in "big money, big meetings, big miracles, big, big, big!").  But, is this really the nature of Biblical faith? 

It is true, we do have a BIG God, a God who performs BIG works. We need only to consider the scope  of God's Creation or the long story of Christ's Redemption to see that God is a BIG God. Having said this, Biblical faith is not essentially something we focus outwardly on our own personal 'visions' or dreams. Biblical faith is directed Godward. It is grounded in what God has said, what God has forever accomplished in Jesus Christ, and in what God aims to do in the future. Simply put, Biblical faith is focused on God's DREAM (His Kingdom Dream), not our own dreams.

So, where in Scripture are Christians encouraged DREAM BIG in their personal lives and ministries? Certainly we'd all like to have more, be more, do more, and see more. Maybe this is the reason why such message is so appealing. The question remains: "For what reason do we wish to have more, be more, do more, and see more?" Is it really for Christ or for us? If it truly is for Christ, then perhaps we ought to surrender our personal dreams (or our church's dream) and settle for His Dream alone.

Did you know that most ‘dreams’ (visions) in Scripture were focused on the glory and the holiness of God? Some Biblical dreams were focused on the need for faithfulness from God's people or on their need for repentance before God. The Apostle Paul’s dream was quite simple. It did not include big buildings, big programs, big crowd counting, or even making a big name for himself (though his name is now VERY big). Paul's dream was this: to preach Christ crucified and risen- to preach it everywhere to anyone and everyone- until his life would end (and his personal dream would be realized- to be with Jesus). 

I suspect that “BIG-Dream-Faith” may simply be ‘Faith American-Style’.  What do you think? Like Paul, let’s do our part in God’s One BIG Dream- His Kingdom Draem. Let's take Christ's name everywhere to everyone and let’s do it faithfully, joyfully, eagerly, lovingly (which is, in large part, what it means to ‘do’ our part).

Depression Gives Birth to Truth

William Cowper was a British poet and hymn writer (1731-1800). My grandmother often quoted his most famous poem when mystified or troubled. It's first line became widely known and the poem later became a classic hymn: "God moves in a mysterious way, His wonders to perform."

Amazingly, this great poet, like many of us, struggled throughout his life with depression, doubts, and fears. Some of the most influential people- both in and outside God's Church- have waged this battle throughout their lives. In the end, it was always Cowper's faith that carried him out of his inner isolation and darkness.

Read Cowper's poem reflectively the next time you're facing a dark season of your own. And keep this in mind: it was written from a sanitarium (the precursor of our modern psychiatric hospitals). I think you'll agree that this fact alone gives added weight to Cowper's powerful insights..

"God moves in a mysterious way,
His wonders to perform;
He plants his footsteps in the sea,
And rides upon the storm.

Deep in unfathomable mines
Of never failing skill,
He treasures up his bright designs,
And works his sovereign will.

Ye fearful saints, fresh courage take,
The clouds ye so much dread
are big with mercy, and shall break
In blessings on your head.

Judge not the Lord by feeble sense,
But trust him for his grace;
Behind a frowning providence,
He hides a smiling face.

His purposes will ripen fast,
Unfolding every hour;
The bud may have a bitter taste,
But sweet will be the flower.

Blind unbelief is sure to err,
And scan his work in vain;
God is his own interpreter,
And he will make it plain."

Love-less Virtue

Love makes all other virtues acceptable to God. Without love, compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience, are basically self-serving. 'Love-less virtue' (if there is such a thing at all) may make a name for me: "He's a good person, a kind old soul." It may serve to make for a better and safer world to live in. It may help to convince me that I am benevolent in nature or that I am better than others around me who live differently than I do. Yet none of this makes love-less virtue acceptable to God. Wisdom lovingly reminds me, "Without love, I am nothing but a clanging gong."