Butterfly Faith

Faith by biblical definition "is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen." (Hebrews 11:1). When I was younger I remember, all the preachers, teachers and pastors were teaching on faith. I was raised that if you have enough faith in God, all things are possible. I still believe this. With that being said, I can also tell you that I have always questioned on whether or not I had enough faith. I have even doubted my own salvation. I would questions if my doubt was proof I didn't really have faith. I walked away from all lessons on faith with the understanding that faith was just believing. Unfortunately, I walked away with just that. Up until recently, I have struggled with "having" faith, mainly because I have deep rooted skepticism. I am a born skeptic. I question everything. So you can imagine how the phrase "just have faith" makes me cringe. It wasn't until I planted my butterfly bush and watched it grow that I learned the truth about faith and how it works. (God will use what ever he can to get his point across!)

I love butterflies. They are whimsical, delicate, fluttery creatures. They remind me of little fairies. Butterflies make me happy. This last fall I planted a butterfly bush, in hopes that swarms of butterflies would grace my yard with their presence. I highly doubted it, but a girl can hope! By Spring it had grown to be as tall as my house with beautiful honey smelling rainbow blooms.To my delight and surprise not a day has gone by this spring and summer without seeing butterflies. All shapes, colors and sizes! 

God always answers our prayers. We may not like the answer, but he answers. Faith is not just believing. Faith is doing.  I learned that doubt will not stop God from working in our lives. We stop God by letting doubt get in our way. I have learned that faith is doing what you know needs to be done, even if you think it will not work. The Bible shows us several examples of steps of faith. He gave the Israelites specific instruction to walk around Jericho. They doubted as they walked but they did it and the walls fell as promised. Jesus put mud on a blind man's eyes and then told him to go and wash it off in a pool of water! The man was blind! Instead of reminding Jesus of this, he got up, did as he was told and was healed. 
I planted my butterfly bush doubting that it would attract butterflies. I was mistaken. If I would have listened to my doubt I would have miss out! Most seeds of faith are planted in doubt, but actions and listening to God produces the answers and results you are hoping for.