One of the gems I received from Siang Yang in his training on Saturday was the importance of growing in our vision of God. He shared that when we grow our vision of God, we will grow our faith.
Increasing our faith is not about increasing ourselves or what we can do but rather, it is about increasing our vision of God and trusting in what He can do, so that He can move in us and through us.
When we look to God, spend time with Him and allow Him to take us deeper into knowing who He is through the Holy Spirit, we slowly begin to increase our faith.
I’ve seen a similar concept being practiced when it comes to relationships. There is an idea that suggests when we think highly of our partners, we are more likely to respond kindly to them and give them the benefit of the doubt when disagreements and problems arise.
Growing our vision of God may have a similar result in our relationship with Him. Thinking of God highly reminds us of who He is and what He has done in our lives. It has the ability to shift our mindset from He is against me to He is for me. When disagreements, problems and challenges arise, we are more likely to respond to God with reverence because of Who He is and what He has done. We move from how we feel in the moment to knowing that God is the same yesterday, today and tomorrow.
We can follow the scriptures instructions with regards to who God is:
Philippians 4:8 (NIV)
“8 Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things.”
We know that the scriptures tell us that faith comes from hearing and hearing the word.
Romans 10:17 ESV
“17 So faith comes from hearing, and hearing through the word of Christ.”
One of the ways we can grow our vision of God is reading His word. Siang Yang emphasised the importance of memorizing scripture as a means of expanding our vision of God. When we meditate and memorize scripture, we can draw on the word of God to increase our faith in difficult and challenging situations.
Growing our vision of God by fixing our eyes on him, can help us endure opposition in our lives, and strengthen us so that we will not grow weary and lose heart.
Hebrews 12:2-3 (NIV)
“2 fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. 3 Consider him who endured such opposition from sinners, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart.”
The scripture reminds us that it is not by (our) might nor by (our) power (human efforts) that we increase our faith but by His Spirit that empowers us as He leads us.
Zechariah 4:6 (NIV)
6 So he said to me, “This is the word of the Lord to Zerubbabel: ‘Not by might nor by power, but by my Spirit,’ says the Lord Almighty.
In a season of increasing our faith, let us make every effort to grow our vision of God. May we continue to seek His face and delight in Him. May we allow the Holy Spirit to move in us and through us. Help us to be aligned and intune with you God. In Jesus’ name we pray, Amen!