For in it the righteousness of God is revealed from faith for faith, as it is written, “The righteous shall live by faith” (Romans 1:17, ESV).
Have you heard the phrase, “We are building the plane while we are flying it”? I read that this is cliché in Silicon Valley because programming, software, and dot-com companies often put something out for the public and adjust it while it is being used.
Yesterday, I started my computer and on its own it sent me a message saying that I needed to wait a few minutes while it updated itself. The nerve of my computer – I bought it, it sits on my desk – yet it updates without my permission.
Microsoft© builds the Windows© plane while flying it, and I can give personal testimony that they pick the most inopportune time to hammer in a software update.
One of my life verses is “the righteousness of God is revealed from faith to faith.” My walk of faith needs input from the Spirit. God is building my righteousness while I practice my faith.
No follower of Jesus gets the opportunity to plan and execute with precision the wisdom of their narrow path miles in advance. Bam! Life happens! You are upended.
Another faith learning experience!
Every major “event of righteousness” or next step in following Jesus just happens. I decide to say “yes” or “no” – and often the decision must happen without a lot of thought.
Think burning bush, building an ark, called to be fishers of men, and a blinding light on the road to Damascus!
Faith to faith!
I’ve learned three things about “building planes while flying them,” or “living from faith to faith.”
- The very thing that we think will crash the plane will keep it in the air. Okay, God, I don’t have time to pray and read my Bible, but I will anyway!
- The more others laugh or deride your attempts to take off in your plane without wings – probably, the more God is in the midst of your decision. God, nobody remains a virgin till marriage today.
- God will have you build a plane that will crash without faith. All faith requires wisdom that we don’t possess and resources we don’t own. Okay, God, I’ve had enough risk in my life; I’m now going to rest and play it safe.
My personal philosophy is that if you must build the plane while flying it, you might as well build a fighter jet – fast and capable of great damage to the enemy!
Take the step of faith!
Let’s build a plane while flying it.