About twenty years ago I did some things and went through some that changed my life. I made poor decisions and suffered consequences for them. At one point I was beating myself up over it. I began to get worked up and defeated over one thing in particular. Because of the things I had gone through, the denomination I was a part of at the time had a rule that people in my circumstance could never be in any ministry role. It was devastating. My whole life I had dreamed of one day being in ministry, and now that dream was dead. A friend came over and asked why I was upset. When I told him, he responded, “What makes you think that you, or this denomination, can rescind God’s calling? You don’t have that kind of power!” It was the slap in the face I needed, and I began to hope and believe again that one day that would happen.
In Romans 4, Paul is writing about Abraham, God’s promise to him and how it relates to our faith. Verse 14 says, “If God’s promise is only for those who obey the law, then faith is not necessary and the promise is pointless” (NLT). He explains none of us are capable of keeping God’s Law without messing up and God’s promises are received through faith. Then verse 17-18 says, ”This (Abraham receiving the promise) happened because Abraham believed in the God who brings the dead back to life and who creates new things out of nothing. Even when there was no reason for hope, Abraham kept hoping.” That’s powerful. Even when there was no reason to hope, he kept hoping. That’s truly was faith is.
If you feel like a dream or calling is dead, it’s time to hope and believe again. Your past actions, or your current circumstances, do not have the power to change God’s promises or His calling. We serve a God who brings dead dreams, dead hopes, dead callings, dead you name it back to life. There is nothing that is impossible for Him. We have to push past the lies and what our eyes tell us in order to believe what God promised. We must awaken faith and hope in our heart again and trust that God, who brings dead things to life and creates new things out of nothing, will respond and move on our behalf. It’s not easy, but that’s what faith is. Abraham did it and was rewarded for his faith. I believe God will reward us too when we stand with that kind of faith and begin moving in the direction He called us to.
Photo by Dmitry Ratushny on Unsplash
Devotions by Chris Hendrix 
Oh to be more like Abraham, and other faith heroes who “hoped against hope!” Like Paul said, “I know whom I have believed and am persuaded that He is able to keep that which I’ve committed unto Him against that day”.
More than once, I’ve read a post of yours and thought, “This is so pastoral. Chris has a gift to shepherd God’s people.”
Paul made tents, Peter fished and you are a corporate trainer. But your OTHER job is an equipper of the saints.
God’s best to you. Keep it coming, brother!
Agreed. I definitely see my role as an equipper of the saints. I don’t always know where I fit into the five fold ministries, but my mission is clear. I appreciate you recognizing that and encouraging me in it.
Yes, Chris is a great communicator & teaches us through his personal trials & successes to apply scripture to our own circumstances. Definitely an encourager, teacher, in God’s WORD.
Thank you, Toma.