Faith is the substance of things hoped for… Hebrews 11:1

By Jeanne Doyon

In my reading Springs in the Valley, a devotional by Mrs. Charles Cowman, it prompted me to think about my small view of God. He is my hope, the substance of my faith, so, on any given day where do my hopes lie?

My shallow thinking needs to be transformed by the depths of God, the height of His love, and the expanse of His mercy and grace. My finite brain can’t see past the hurdle in front of me. My “hope” is in the weekend. I have lost sight of His vision, of His “I AM able” and find myself spiritually near-sighted.

Faith should stir me to action yet I wallow in fatigue. Faith should launch me out into the depths, but I hang around the shoreline. Faith should awaken possibilities and opportunities yet I often feel stuck.

Faith is bigger than my thoughts; it is born out of a hope in God—knowing that He is at work in every heart, in every situation to bring completeness to every soul. He works even in the smallest details; nothing is beyond His reach or knowledge. He works continually to accomplish His purpose for my life and yours.

This has whispered into the depth of my soul, my need to broaden my vision of Him, to take down the barriers I’ve placed around Him and my world. I can’t put God in a box—He is bigger, much bigger than that. He is the same God who parted the Red Sea. He is the same God who toppled Jericho’s walls. He is the same God who delivered Daniel from the Lion’s mouth and three youths from the fiery furnace.  I serve and love the God who spoke the universe into existence, created the stars, and yet knows me by name—because He wove me in my mother’s womb too.  And, He accomplishes both the monumental and the smallest things in my life…

My faith must be expanded by my hope—my vision of Him. I need to see beyond my field of vision, beyond my small spaces, to the vast vision of His glory.

So, Lord, expand my view. Open my understanding. Renew my mind to begin to understand your vastness. Help me to see, for my faith depends on it. Take my tiny mustard seed faith, for faith is the substance of things hoped for!  You, LORD are my hope; the anchor of my soul (Hebrews 6:19)

Transform my thinking and enlarge my vision of who You are and what you are doing around me because faith is the substance.

How Big is Your God?

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Jeanne Doyon writes and speaks from the heart, connecting the Truth of Scripture to everyday life. Her passion is to pause and see God’s presence around us, and in His word. She and her husband John live in the quiet corner of Connecticut. They have three children, a daughter-in-love, and three grandchildren. Her blog, The Stream’s Edge is one of her many resources for spiritual encouragement. Connect with her at JeanneDoyon.com.