How to Experience an Adventurous Faith

Sharon JaynesA Sudden Glory, Expectant Living, Living Fully, Trusting God 52 Comments

I sat in a giant swing with two other crazy women. Strapped in. Hanging on. Poised to be flung out over a cliff…over and above a valley below…way below.

I’m excited to meet Jesus. I really am. But this was not how I envisioned it happening.

We were at a women’s retreat in Colorado, and I was the speaker. What possessed me to get in that swing was beyond me. But I allowed this boy (who looked like he was about twelve-years-old) to strap me in.

Once the tether was loosed, and we flew into the air, I understood why the giant swing was called The Screamer. I SCREAMED.

I’m the one on the far left with my mouth wide open.

Sometimes obeying God is like the Screamer. We hang on and the adventure begins!

The adventurous faith begins when we:
#1 Trust God
#2 Obey God

Jesus knew we’d have trust issues when it came to obedience.

“Which of you fathers, if your son asks for a fish, will give him a snake instead?” He asked. “Or if he asks for an egg, will give him a scorpion? If you then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give the Holy Spirit to those who ask Him!” (Luke 11:11-13).

If we don’t understand that God always, always wants what is best for us, then we will have a difficult time trusting Him. In Him we live and move and have our being will be a halted walk at best. We’ll have a coach potato faith, rather than an adventurous faith.

Brennan Manning, in his book, The Furious Longing of God  said this:

“As long as we continue to picture God as a small-minded bookkeeper, a niggling customs officer rifling through our moral suitcase, as a policeman with a club who is going to beat us over the head every time we stumble and fall, or as a whimsical, capricious, and cantankerous thief who delights in raining on our parade and stealing our joy, we flatly deny what John wrote in his first letter (4:16): ‘God is love.’ In human beings, love is a quality, a high-prized virtue; in God, love is His identity.”

And it is because of that love that you can always trust that He has your best interest in mind.

When we truly believe that God always wants what’s best for us, then we begin to understand that obedience is not something we have to do, rather obedience is something we get to do.

Do you want to experience an adventurous, intimate relationship with Jesus in which you sense His presence?

Do you want your inloveness with God to grow to new heights and depths that you never thought possible?

Then follow His lead. That’s exactly where He wants to take you.

If you’re ready, leave me a comment that says, “I’m ready to experience the adventure of faith.” And if you’re in the middle of one of those adventures right now, let me know and I’ll pray for you!

 Want More?

Sudden Glory CoverSometimes we’re asking the wrong question. It’s not what God wants from you when it comes to obedience, it is what He wants for you. If you’d like to learn more about how to experience the adventurous faith, if your heart aches for something more, then A Sudden Glory might just be what you need to get you there. Click here to read a sneak peak and watch a video.

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Comments 52

    2. I am ready to experience the adventure of Faith. Please pray for me Sharon, I am struggling in so many ways. I feel so alone and I have strayed from God these past few months although I never stopped believing. God Bless you,…….Mamie

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  9. I am in the middle of one of those adventures now. I was raised by the State of Illinois and as an adult I have done everything by the book, every rule by the letter to the T… Not because I wanted to but because I was so fear struck. Not at the age of 54 I am trusting God in a way I have never done before. I have been wrapped up in fear for about 52 1/2 of those years in a death defying grip of fear. I believe I have won the battle though I fight it everyday and two weeks ago, I just up and quit my job (gave a two week notice) and am moving to Atlanta this weekend. I have a peace that so defies human understanding, especially my own. It is exhilarating to just jump or swing out on a swing as you did. I feel alive for the very first time in my life. I will keep you posted.

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  11. I am experiencing that adventure now in leading a small group in my home and taking them to knew heights…I need more faith to go higher and bring them in with me…

    Blessings,
    Patty

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  13. “I’m ready to experience the adventure of faith.” I believe God is asking me to do some things He has never asked of me before. Or maybe He has asked and I ignored Him. This morning He reminded me through His Word that “He has blessed us..(that includes you and me) with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places in Christ.” That was such revelation to me! I’ve read that Scripture before, but it revolutionized my way of thinking this morning. One of the things I believe God is encouraging me to do is to apply for a job that “I don’t believe I am not qualified for”. (Notice I said, “I don’t believe” I am qualified). Now I don’t know if this means He has all ready opened the door for me or if He is stretching me and my faith beyond stagnation. This seems like a simple step of obedience and faith, but for me, it is not. Fear (False Evidence Appearing Real) has more often than not left me paralyzed to the simplest things. Anyway, we will see what He has in store.

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  14. Hi, right now Im going through rough time, I m one of those people that always give fron the heart. My husband just lost his job and its getting a little rough out there! I know my Lord provides for my needs its just hard! Thanksgiving and Christmas are almost here. Your husband is not save and here you are trying to tell him that our Lord will provide! And then there the people that you help all your life and they just look at you like you lost your head! You know what all I do? Pray!
    Blessings
    Carmen

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  17. I’m ready to experience the adventure of faith. My husband and I are not sure about where we will be living in the future. We feel that we will need to move, but, not sure where God will place us. We often wish that God would write out His plans in detail for us, but, we do realize that we must live in faith and remember God will work His plans for us according to His will and His time, not ours. But, every now and then, those doubt thoughts just work their way in. So, yes, definitely, “I am ready to experience the adventure of faith.” “-)

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  18. I am in the middle of trusting Him right now. This has been a long yr for me and when I first began this journey of trust, I thought to myself, “I can do this. I’ve had practice at waiting before ( it seems like my whole life).” But–“I have a front row seat to the longest wait,” as a Christian artist puts it. I had thought my faith was bigger than what I’ve been learning recently and it seems too hard to wait this long. But I didn’t realize how much God was going to and is teaching me through this experience. You are right when you liken trusting Him to a swing ride! He’s given me of His strength, as mine gave out long ago, and there are times I feel as if He were carrying me through. I am praying for a breakthrough and the heart to believe for one. I know my times are in His hands and am waiting expectantly for Him to move in this situation that as of now, seems so hopeless and impossible. But I know I AM and when He says it’s enough, it will be enough. In my fear of trusting, I’ve been giving Him the sacrifice of praise. It helps quell the evil the enemy perpetrates in our fears and doubts. He can’t be in the presence of praise to God. He’s allergic to it. Praise God! Thanks for praying!

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  19. I am in the middle of an adventure right now! Learning to walk with God and trust Him has been pushed to the forefront of my priorities like never before. A year and a half ago I lost the love of my life when he committed suicide and my life began to spiral as I struggled with anger, hurt, betrayal, loneliness, trust and confidence. I felt afraid and anxious all the time about things from my future to my family to going to the grocery store!

    Without my love, all of a sudden I felt lost and the plans/goals I had previously made didn’t make sense anymore. I was also having trouble on my job because I didn’t feel like I belonged there anymore (I met my love there and we worked together on several projects there). I was overwhelmed and everyday felt like the walls were closing in. It hurt deeply that many of my co-workers whom I’d known for years couldn’t understand what I was going through (some were just down right insensitive!).

    I began praying and circling my prayers with God’s promises (inspired by the The Circle Maker by Mark Batterson) and God began speaking to my heart as I searched His heart in the Bible. Months later everything came to fruition and I knew I needed to start over. This included resigning from my job (How God allowed that to play out is another story in itself!). I feel such freedom and peace in my life but the adventure is just beginning! I am now pursuing my passions as an entrepreneur in graphic design and public relations and I am straight free falling… Creating my parachute in mid-air on the way down! It’s scary and exciting all at the same time!

    I’m 32 years old and I believe God will restore my dreams of being a wife and mother but in the meantime I’m so thankful for God’s healing presence and patience with me. Thank you Sharon for your encouraging words that resets my spiritual mindset and renews my faith and purpose each day.

    Jacquie

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  20. Lord God I am ready to experience the adventure of faith today lord God. I have been unemployed for two years I have been applying for jobs and have been turned down for a number of reasons one being over qualified. I have an interview todayand tomorrow with the same employer at different locations both positions are high sales positions my faith advenure is i am claiming one these positions God already knows which job he has set asaid for me I claim that job in Jesus name. Amen

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  21. I’m ready! Its tough when you feel you are ready but God hasn’t brought you “there” yet. I’m in the middle of trying to make a career choice that seems to be what I’ve been praying for, but God has not said without a doubt that’s the way to go. Until my cute better half is 100% on board, I couldn’t possibly make the change. Its hard for me to dream big while still being content and praising where I am and to be ok even if the answer is stay where I am. I get scared of sharing my heart with God and then being disappointed when His answer isn’t what I expected or wanted. Its a challenge. But I do want adventure faith, and that may come by staying where I am for now. God, please just know I am open for whatever purpose you have! Help me resist Satan when he tries to mess with my contentment when I’m dreaming bold dreams. Fill me with your Grace and peace regardless.

    Amen,
    Paige

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  22. I’m ready to experience the adventure of faith. I really am…I want to feel God’s presence & God speak to me & lead me the correct way. I’m struggling with lots of issues right now & want God’s guidance on it all. Decisions have to be made soon, but I’m still so unclear on what they should be. I’m waiting on God to show me the answers.

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  23. I am ready to experience the adventures of faith. We have had a hard time building a home it seems like there is always something stopping us. our trailer is falling apart. This has turned my husband into an alcoholic. He has lost so much weight and I feel he is dying in front of me. I pray for him to get better. that we will be able to build our new home.

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  24. I am ready to experience the adventure of faith. I praise God for revealing to me more of who he is. I’ve sought him out and he is revealing himself to me. I’m learning to praise him in my prayers and getting into prayer more than I did. God has answered most all of my prayers since I did this and proved that he is there and has what’s best for me. I love that acronym for fear someone said above. False Evidence Appearing Real. I am learning that. It’s false evidence. Praise Him for His work in my life. He is truly teaching me how faithful he is that I can trust him.

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  33. My husband and I are currently experiencing an adventure of faith. We have been raising our two grandchildren for the last year and a half. Our grand daughter will be 2 in December & our grandson will be 4 in February. It has truly been a walk of faith with them.

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  35. “I’m ready to experience the adventure of faith.” And if you’re in the middle of one of those adventures right now, let me know and I’ll pray for you! Please pray for me. I love your daily devotions with “your girl friends”. Thank you.

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  37. Thank you for your uplifting and beautiful daily devotionals. They have really changed the way I see things and have truly impacted my life in a wonderful way.
    I am ready to experience the adventure of faith but I ask that the LORD strengthen my faith against every spirit of fear, doubt, unbelief and oppression. I want my faith to speak louder than the negativity that contradicts the word of GOD.

    Thank you in advance for your prayers.

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  38. Hi Sharon, I’m experiencing the adventure of faith right now. It’s going to be a SCREMING leap of faith. God is leading me to start a non profit organization and I definitely need your prayers. There are so many needs to be met and my heart is burning with desire to meet as many needs as I can. Thank you for your daily words of encouagement. Be blessed!!!

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  40. I am going through very hard times I have anxiety and depression and nothing has work for me, my husband has dementia and I don’t have the money to hire a caregiver or put him in an institution. I was offered a program, but I could not afforded, and it would ‘ve not help me because I have more problems with him at night and there not caregivers working at night. I don’t know how I am going to mature from this big problem

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  41. I am ready to experience the adventure of FAITH!! I was just reading exactly what your post was on. Thank you for the encouragement to stay strapped in to trusting our Savior and having the adventures He wants for us- love it!

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  44. Smack dab in the middle of the adventure, missionary in PNG @ 62 years of age! Working with my husband at City Mission PNG, giving direction, hope and a home to 300+ boys!

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  45. I am in the middle of my faith adventure.A student who lost all benefits because of being out of university for a whole year as a result of an accident.Those responsible for the accident are difficult to resolve compensation issues. Please pray for me.

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  46. I’m so ready to experience the adventure of faith. I have been paralyzed with fear for 3 years and I’m ready to step out in faith.

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