Stepping Out In Faith

There was here a man who had been crippled from birth and was now over forty years old (Acts 4:22). In addition to whatever damage had occurred to him in his mother’s womb, or when he was born, his muscles and tendons would have atrophied. Even if the original cause of the problem were to be immediately cured, he would not have been able to take a few steps without months of intense physio and rehabilitation. Yet, in an instant, he was not only physically healed of the original deformity, but all his muscles, tendons, and nerves were re-formed, so that he could not only walk, but dance and leap for joy.

When did that miracle happen? Was it as soon as Peter spoke the words of healing in the name of Jesus? No. Was it when Peter reached out to help him to his feet? No. It was the moment that the man’s tiny seed of faith engaged with the power of God, and he attempted to stand. It was then that the impossible became reality.

Many of you reading this will have been challenged by God, either directly, or through the words of another (a pastor, preacher, evangelist, or even a stranger), to ‘step out’ into something new and quite different from what you have been used to. This may be something big, or something small, but you feel inadequate for the task.  Maybe you are even thinking, “Why me, after all these years (forty or more)”?  For the crippled man there was something powerful in the words of Peter that inspired him to comply. (Are you sensing something in this challenge that echoes in your spirit from the Lord?)

The crippled man could have brushed aside Peter’s extended hand and demanded money, or to be left alone. What was being offered was not what he was expecting. However, he took the offered hand, and suddenly his whole world changed forever, for the better, and joy filled his heart where once there was just emptiness. Is God calling you to take His offered hand and step into what may be unknown for you, but is totally known to Him?