Take the first step in Faith!

Martin Luther King Jr says:

"Take the first step in faith. You don't have to see the whole staircase. Just take the first step."

It is only in our walking out in faith and walking out step by step, that the path of God will open ahead of us, and will be revealed to us, line upon line. Start walking put in faith step by step, and a path will open unto you! The path of God will definitely open unto you. That is how God leads us, line upon line. And only if we step out in FAITH.

I remember just last week-before I start my trip down to Indonesia. All I have is $5, even until the day that I should leave. I left Chiang Rai with nothing at all. On the bus on the way to Bangkok I was praying, weeping, sobbing, crying out to God asking Him to help me. All the thoughts running around my head:

"How can I do this, God?"

"How can I continue this travel?"
"How bout my visa?"

"HELP ME!"

I think I fell asleep crying and the next time I know I arrived in Bangkok at 4.30 am. I sat down at the bus terminal don't know how to go that early morning. Thank God that I have Toto with me. Together we prayed and asked God to help us and declaring that by faith He will provide in His perfect timing. We slept at the bus terminal until 8 am in the morning. Just right after we woke up, Toto got a phone call from His family telling him that they sent him some money. And that just enough money for us to continue our trip. We left the bus terminal and went to the place where we stayed for 2 days.

I remember again that night I was praying so hard until I fell asleep. I woke up in the morning and checked my email and I found out that I got $1,060 donation last night. I was so shocked, shaking, crying, jumping and dancing at the same time. Praising God for His faithfulness. And about an hour or so after that another $100 coming. I can't say thank you enough to God. Again that day He showed me that He is in control and will always be with me.

And now here I am in Jakarta, preparing myself for the applying visa process. The journey is not finish yet. There are still lots of needs, financially and spiritually. I need lots of prayers, a lot of it.

He said to me, "Step out and walk, and walk in faith and a path will open unto you." God further revealed to me that just like the Israelites when they crossed the Red Sea, the Red Sea was not opened all the way to the bank on the other side. Again He said to me, "The Red Sea only opens up as they walk out in faith. As they walk out and in faith, the Red Sea begins to open, just a few steps ahead of them. The Red Sea was not opened all the way to the other bank, but only as they walked out in faith, step by step, the path to the other bank will begin to open unto them."

Just last night I was sitting down with my mom, we were talking about faith. We know that God is always faithful, but us as a human; or in this particular conversation with my mom I said that me as a human is easy for me to say faith faith faith. But again and again God put me in the situation where I have nothing but faith and to be honest, it is hard. It is hard to sit and be still and wait. It is written "Be still and know that I am God" (Psalm 46:10) I think I can say that it is one of the most famous verse. And I have this thought in my mind that the more famous the verse, the harder it is to live it out. It is true though.

My mom asked me if I already have all the money that I need, and I said no. She then asked me where the rest of the money will come from, and I said from God. And it is true, because I have no idea where the money will come from except from God.

I took my first step. I stepped out and walk--walk in faith. The further I go, the smaller the path or even sometimes I cannot see the path. But I know somehow deep inside my heart that He is working even though I cannot see Him, He is opening the way, preparing the way and He's watching every step that I take and He knows it's not easy for me. And I know that He's here, He's there, He's everywhere around me.

And in this midst of everything, I love to read and meditate on the story of Jesus walking on the water. For me, it is an awesome reminder of Christ's power. It is also a very convicting story when I stop and think about Peter's response.

Like the other eleven apostles, Peter could have chosen  to remain in the boat. Even though the wind and the waves were against the boat, the boat was still the safest place to be. And yet, Jesus stood outside the boat, on the waves. Peter's heart yearned to be near to the Lord as he asked Jesus, "Lord, if it is You, command me to come to You on the water." After receiving Christ's invitation, Peter stepped out, and became the only other man recorded in Scripture to walk on the water.

There are many times in my life when I feel like things are against me. I do not feel like I am moving forward; in fact, I'm fighting just to stand my ground. I feel distant from God, knowing He hasn't forsaken me, but feeling that He is not as near as I'd like. In times like these, it is an encouragement to remember Peter... He was willing to step out alone in faith to be closer to Jesus. He was willing to leave the limited protection of the boat to step out further into the storm, since that is where the Lord was standing. And, what is more, he stepped out alone, leaving the rest of the apostles in the boat

Can you imagine how it feels? When he took the first step out of the boat; fear, doubt, nervous but above all of that he is yearned to be closer to the Lord.

And that's what I want with my life. To always step out from the boat--from my comfort zone to be closer to my Father. I don't say that we can't feel Him in normal life, but at least for me I have to step out in faith to get to know Him more and more. And I know He won't let me drown.

I know, we know, that we cannot make Him love us less or more. He loves each one of us with every bit of love that He has. But I do believe that we can please Him, we can make His heart beats faster, we can make Him smile with the things that we do to/for Him.

And now I am standing here waiting in awe, knowing that He is God that is in control for all situations. I know that He will provide the rest of the money that I need in time, I know that He will help me to get the visa, I know that He will give me wisdom and knowledge to study His Words, I know that He will take care of me and my family.

And I know that during this walking-waiting in faith, He is cheering me to not give up--no matter what.
Like He says in Isaiah 43:
"Fear not, for I have redeemed you, I have summoned you by name; you are Mine. When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and when you pass through the rivers, they will not sweep over you. When you walk through the fire, you will not be burned; the flames will not set you ablaze. For I am the Lord, your God, the Holy One of Israel, your Savior."


"You are precious and honored in My sight, and because I love you.. Do not be afraid, for I am with you"

Yes, He is with me.. He is with you.. He is with us..

No matter what our situation is.. Financial, family, work, study, health, you name it... He is with us.

"The Lord you God is in your midst, a mighty One who will save; He will rejoice over you with gladness; He will quite you by His love; He will exult over you with loud singing."

I will leave you today with this wonderful video. 

May God bless you all and may your faith will continue growing as you take the step of faith with Him. Go, walk on the water!