A good friend of mine has turned down some job offers because they’re not in the city in which he and his wife believe God has called them to live and help start a church. And yet my friend is currently without a job and running out of money. He and his wife also have two young sons, so there’s a lot at stake.

His situation reminds me of something similar I went through in the late ’90’s. I was in the process of being laid off from a job, but felt God leading me to wait patiently for what He would reveal. The more I prayed, the more God said to wait patiently. And so I did…for several months. A week after I was laid off, God opened a door for a new job.

During those few months, it looked like I was being passive, irresponsible and foolish. I wasn’t looking for a job, filling out applications or going on interviews. I was praying and waiting. Why? Because I believe it’s what God was leading me to do.

My friend is praying and waiting and actively looking for a job in a particular city. Why? Because he believes it’s what God is leading him to do.

Many people would think he’s crazy for turning down job offers. After all, it’s tough to find a job in this economy. What’s he thinking?

Yeah, what’s he thinking?

And while we’re at it, what was Noah thinking when he built that ark?

How about Moses leading millions of people out of captivity only to get backed up against the Red Sea by the Egyptian army? What was he thinking?

What was Abraham thinking when he left his home to go to a land God said He’d show him? And what was he thinking when he raised the knife to kill his son, Isaac?

What was Joseph thinking when he resisted the advances of his boss’s wife and ended up in prison because she falsely accused him?

What was Daniel thinking when he disobeyed the king so he could be faithful to God and then was tossed into a den of lions as punishment?

What were they thinking?

In hindsight, these men are all heroes of the faith. They faced impossible circumstances, they believed God and He came through for them. In hindsight.

But in the midst of their difficulties, each of these men looked like fools. They couldn’t see how or when things were going to work out and neither could anyone else.

Remember, God may, check that–God will–call you to take a step of faith that will look foolish to those around you. He hasn’t spoken to them though. He has spoken to you. He is the only One you must please. You don’t need to explain yourself to others. They won’t understand anyway since most people are not walking by faith.

Most people have ordered their lives in such a way as to eliminate or at least minimize any need for faith. They may call it living cautiously or prudently or risk-averse. Call it what you will, but it’s not a life of faith and it’s not the kind of life God blesses.

Maybe God hasn’t called you to move to another city and help start a church. He might though.

But what is He calling you to do today? Are you listening to Him? Would you hear Him if He called your name today? Or is He being drowned out by an iPod, Facebook, Twitter, a couple hundred text messages and a few hours of television?

Living by faith is the “normal” Christian life.

So are you trusting God today? I mean the kind of trust where if He doesn’t come through, you’re sunk. The kind of trust where He’s not only plan A, He’s plan B, C, D…

Is there a step of faith God is calling you to today? Ask Him. While you’re waiting for Him to answer, try one of these:

• Give away a sum of money that will make you nervous. That might be $50 for some of you. For others, it might mean $5,000. Or more.
• Walk across the street and meet your new neighbor.
• Meet your spouse’s needs even though he/she isn’t meeting yours.
• Tell God you’re willing to do anything He tells you to do, go anywhere He tells you to go, whenever He tells you to do it.
• Tell someone about your addiction and that you need help.
• Stop having sex until you’re married.

If your relationship with God seems stale or boring, then maybe you’ve been living by sight, not by faith. A life of faith is not boring. Sometimes scary. But never boring.

When you walk by faith, you will experience God in ways the sight-walkers never get to. You will see Him use you in ways you didn’t know were possible. You will discover how He has uniquely designed you to advance His kingdom. You will see Him open doors, often at the last minute, you never could have on your own.

You were made to live by faith in God.

Are you?

“And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him.”  –Hebrews 11:6