Do I Have Faith?

Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.

Hebrews 11:1

The African impala is one of the most powerful and graceful animals in Africa. It can jump to a height of more than ten feet and cover a distance of more than thirty feet in one jump. In spite of its great ability, an impala can be kept in an enclosure with a solid fence no more than three feet high. Impalas will not jump if they can’t see where their feet will land. Impalas walk by sight, not faith.

Don’t laugh—there are many Christians who walk the same way. Faith is “the evidence of things not seen,” not the evidence of things seen. As a believer, if we are willing to take steps in life only when we can see exactly what’s on the path, we don’t have biblical faith.

Abraham was a man who had true faith. God called him from his home in Mesopotamia and directed him to he knew not where. Abraham just obeyed God, left his home, and walked one step at a time. Eventually he arrived at his destination—not because he saw Canaan but because he saw the will of God for his life.

The future can only be faced in two ways: with faith or with fear. How small is the enclosure that has you penned in? If you have to see the next step before you’ll move ahead, you’re trusting your sight instead of your Savior.