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Hello, Beloved, I hope you’re doing well!
I greet you in the mighty and matchless name of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ āļø! Today, I feel led to share with you a deeply personal testimonyāone that underscores the transformative power of faith and the importance of trusting in God, even when the circumstances seem impossible.
Walking by faith and not by sight is not just a phrase we hear in church or a verse we memorize; it is a way of life that requires complete reliance on the promises and character of God.
Through this testimony, I hope to reveal how God called me to trust Him in the face of uncertainty and impossibility and how, by His grace, He proved faithful in ways beyond my understanding.
It is my heartfelt prayer that this story, paired with the eternal truths of Scripture, will uplift your spirit, strengthen your trust in the Lord, and encourage you to lean fully on Him, no matter the trials or obstacles you may face.
Beloved, walking by faith is not always easy. The world often demands tangible evidence and visible results, but God calls us to trust Him based on who He is, not on what we see. As the Word declares:
“For we walk by faith, not by sight” (2 Corinthians 5:7).
In the journey I am about to share with you, I faced moments where what I could see with my natural eyes seemed to contradict what God had spoken to my heart. Yet, as I leaned into His promises and surrendered my doubts, I witnessed His power and faithfulness in ways I could never have imagined.
Let this testimony remind you that the God who parted the Red Sea, shut the mouths of lions, and called the stars by name is the same God who is with you today. He sees your struggles, knows your doubts, and invites you to trust Him completely.
It is my prayer that through this story, you will be inspired to take bold steps of faith, knowing that the One who has called you is faithful to finish the work He has begun in you (Philippians 1:6).
So, beloved, join me as we dive deeper into this journey of faithāleaning on the unshakable truth of Godās Word and standing firm in the knowledge that what is impossible with man is always possible with God (Luke 18:27). May this message draw you closer to our Savior and fill your heart with hope and courage for whatever lies ahead. šāØ
š A Call That Didnāt Make Sense
Several years ago, I was living in Phoenix, Arizona šļø, thriving in my ministry and pursuing career goals that seemed perfectly aligned with my dreams. Everything felt as though it was falling into placeāopportunities were opening, and I believed I was right where God wanted me to be. Life in Phoenix was comfortable, productive, and full of promise.
But then, as only God can, He interrupted my carefully laid plans with a call I did not expect:
āReturn to your home state of California. I have a mission for you.ā
At first, this call felt utterly illogical š¤. Why would God ask me to leave behind a fruitful ministry, a career that seemed to be flourishing, and the stability I had worked so hard to build? The idea of packing up and starting over made no earthly sense. From my perspective, it felt like I would be leaving behind everything I had worked for to step into uncertainty.
I wrestled with this call for days. I prayed, I questioned, and I sought the Lord š. I poured out my heart to Him, asking why He would lead me away from something that seemed so aligned with His will for my life. Yet, as I continued to pray and seek His guidance, His purpose became unmistakably clear:
God wanted me to return to California to minister to my grandfather, Larry, who had been diagnosed with Alzheimerās disease.
Beloved, if you know anything about Alzheimerās, you understand how devastating it can be š§ š. It is a cruel disease that gradually robs a person of their memory, their clarity of thought, and often their sense of self. For someone diagnosed with Alzheimerās, days can blur into confusion, and moments of lucidity can become increasingly rare.
By sight š, this mission seemed not only challenging but impossible. How could someone whose mind was slipping away grasp the truth of the Gospel? How could I lead my grandfather to faith when the disease seemed to strip away the very faculties he would need to understand?
As these questions weighed on my heart, the task ahead felt overwhelming. My human logic screamed that this was a foolās errand. Yet, God does not call us to walk by what we see. He calls us to walk by faith:
“Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen” (Hebrews 11:1).
With this truth in mind, I made the decision to obey His call, trusting that His ways are higher than mine and His thoughts higher than my thoughts (Isaiah 55:8-9). I packed up my life in Phoenix, said goodbye to the stability I had built, and returned to California with nothing but faith in Godās purpose.
This decision required me to trust God in a way I never had before. It was not just a physical moveāit was a step of faith into the unknown. I didnāt know how I could minister to my grandfather, how long it would take, or if I would ever see the fruit of my efforts. But I knew that if God had called me to this mission, He would equip me for it.
Beloved, this is the essence of faith: believing in what God has spoken even when the evidence around us suggests otherwise. Faith does not rely on what we see; it relies on the unchanging Word of God. And so, with prayer in my heart and faith as my guide, I stepped into this new season, trusting that God would do what only He can. šāØ
š Walking by Faith, Not by Sight
Obeying the Lordās call, I left Phoenix and returned to California š. It wasnāt an easy decision. I had built a life in Phoenix that felt stable and fruitful. I had a ministry I was pouring my heart into, a community of believers I deeply valued, and career pursuits that seemed promising. Leaving all of that behind felt like a step into the unknown.
But as difficult as it was to say goodbye to the life I had built, I trusted that Godās plans were far greater than my own:
“For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, saith the Lord” (Isaiah 55:8-9).
When I arrived in California, the reality of the mission God had called me to began to sink in. My grandfatherās Alzheimerās was already affecting him in profound ways. His memory was inconsistent, his clarity of thought fleeting, and his ability to engage in meaningful conversation often felt just out of reach. But I held onto the promise that:
“What is impossible with man is possible with God” (Luke 18:27).
From the moment I arrived, I committed to spending intentional time with my grandfather every single day. It wasnāt always easyāhis condition presented challenges, and there were moments when doubt crept in. But I knew this was the mission God had entrusted to me, and I resolved to walk in obedience.
Each afternoon, we would take walks together down to the front gate š¶āāļøšŖ. These walks became sacred times for meāa daily opportunity to connect with my grandfather, to pray for him š, and to share Godās love ā¤ļø with him in ways both simple and profound. As we walked, we would talk about life, the past, and the little things that brought him joy.
Every single day, I asked him the same question:
āGramps, do you believe in God?ā
And every single day, his response was the sameāindifference, confusion, or dismissiveness š. Some days, he would shrug and say, āI donāt know.ā Other days, he would simply change the subject or laugh it off.
To the natural eye š, it seemed like nothing was happening. The repetition of the same question and the same response began to feel futile, as though my words were falling on deaf ears.
There were moments when discouragement tried to take root in my heart. I wondered if I had misunderstood Godās call or if I was doing something wrong. But in those moments of doubt, I reminded myself of this truth:
“Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen” (Hebrews 11:1).
Faith doesnāt rely on immediate results or visible progress. Faith clings to Godās promises, even when the evidence around us seems to contradict them. Day after day, I walked by faith, trusting that God had called me to this mission for a purpose.
I prayed fervently šš„, pouring out my heart before the Lord and asking Him to soften my grandfatherās heart and open his eyes to the truth of the Gospel. I asked God to give me the words to speak, the patience to persevere, and the faith to believe in His timing.
Even when doubt tried to creep in, I clung to the Word of God, which reassures us of His faithfulness:
“Being confident of this very thing, that He which hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ” (Philippians 1:6).
Those daily walks became a symbol of my faith in action. Every step we took together was a step of obedience, a declaration that I trusted God to work in my grandfatherās heart in ways I could not see or understand. Even though his responses seemed fruitless, I believed that Godās Word would not return void but would accomplish the purpose for which He sent it (Isaiah 55:11).
Over time, I began to see these walks not as a test of my patience but as a demonstration of Godās love. Each moment I spent with my grandfather was an opportunity to reflect the heart of Christ, to plant seeds of truth, and to trust that God would bring the harvest in His perfect timing.
And so, day after day, I walked by faith, not by sight. I chose to trust in the unseen work of the Holy Spirit, knowing that God was moving even when I couldnāt perceive it. What seemed impossible to me was entirely possible with Godāand that truth sustained me through every moment of doubt and discouragement. šæāļø
š The Moment of Breakthrough
After years of asking and praying, one seemingly ordinary day turned extraordinary āØ. It began like any other dayāwe set out for our usual walk to the front gate š¶āāļøšŖ, a routine that had become so familiar it felt like second nature. The sun was shining, the birds were singing, and everything about that moment felt unremarkable. But in Godās perfect timing, it was anything but ordinary.
As we strolled along, I posed the same question I had asked countless times before:
āGramps, do you believe in God?ā
For years, his responses had been the sameāuncertain, dismissive, or indifferent. By sight š, I had no reason to expect anything different that day. Yet, I had learned to trust Godās promises over what I could see, and so I asked the question once again.
This time, his response was unlike anything I had ever heard. My grandfather stopped mid-step, turned to look at me, and with a clarity that defied explanation, he said:
āOf course I doā¦ donāt you?!ā
Beloved, those words pierced my heart with unspeakable joy šāØ. It was as though his soul had spoken directly to mine, cutting through all the years of confusion and uncertainty. His response wasnāt just wordsāit was a confession, a declaration of belief so pure and childlike that it could only have come from a heart touched by God.
In that moment, I knew beyond a shadow of a doubt that God had answered my prayers š. The countless days of walking by faith, the prayers that felt unanswered, and the moments of doubtāall of it culminated in this extraordinary moment of grace.
My grandfather, despite the devastating effects of Alzheimerās, had come to believe in God.
The Bible reminds us of the power of childlike faith:
“Verily I say unto you, Except ye be converted, and become as little children, ye shall not enter into the kingdom of heaven” (Matthew 18:3).
š The Power of Godās Grace in the Impossible
Alzheimerās may have taken much from my grandfatherāhis memory, his clarity of thought, and his ability to engage in the ways he once did. But it could not take away the work of God in his heart ā¤ļø. Despite the disease, he had come to believe in God with the simplicity and sincerity of a child.
That moment was a profound reminder of this truth:
“What is impossible with man is possible with God” (Luke 18:27).
To the natural eye š, it seemed impossible for someone with Alzheimerās to fully grasp the Gospel, let alone express belief in God. But faith tells a different story. God is not limited by the boundaries of human understanding or the constraints of disease. His power to reach and transform hearts knows no limits.
As I stood there, overwhelmed by the weight of that moment, I couldnāt help but praise God for His faithfulness. He had called me to this mission, and even when it seemed fruitless, He was working behind the scenes in ways I could not see.
My grandfatherās simple yet profound declaration of faith was a testament to the truth that Godās Word does not return void:
“So shall my word be that goeth forth out of my mouth: it shall not return unto me void, but it shall accomplish that which I please, and it shall prosper in the thing whereto I sent it” (Isaiah 55:11).
That moment wasnāt just an answer to my prayersāit was a powerful display of Godās grace and sovereignty. It was a reminder that faith doesnāt rely on what we see or understand. Faith trusts in the promises of God, knowing that He is always faithful to fulfill them.
š A Living Testimony of Faith
My grandfatherās response was also a deeply personal encouragement to me. It reminded me that our labor in the Lord is never in vain, even when the results arenāt immediately visible:
“Therefore, my beloved brethren, be ye stedfast, unmoveable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as ye know that your labour is not in vain in the Lord” (1 Corinthians 15:58).
Beloved, that extraordinary moment continues to remind me of the power of walking by faith, not by sight. It challenges me to trust Godās timing and to believe that He is working even when the evidence isnāt visible. And it inspires me to encourage others to do the same, for we serve a God who specializes in making the impossible possible.
My grandfatherās confession of faith will forever be one of the most precious memories of my life. It stands as a testimony to Godās unfailing love and His ability to reach even the most unlikely of hearts.
š Biblical Heroes Who Walked by Faith
Beloved, my story is just one example of Godās faithfulness. Throughout Scripture, we see men and women who trusted Godās promises, even when the circumstances seemed impossible. Their lives serve as powerful reminders of what it means to walk by faith and not by sight, trusting in the unseen hand of God.
1ļøā£ Abraham: Trusting Godās Promise š
Abraham, often called the father of faith, is one of the greatest examples of trusting God in the face of uncertainty. God called Abraham to leave his homeland, his family, and everything familiar to him to go to an unknown place:
“Now the Lord had said unto Abram, Get thee out of thy country, and from thy kindred, and from thy father’s house, unto a land that I will shew thee” (Genesis 12:1).
Imagine the weight of that call! Abraham wasnāt given a roadmap or any guarantees, only a promise from God. Yet, he obeyed:
“By faith Abraham, when he was called to go out into a place which he should after receive for an inheritance, obeyed; and he went out, not knowing whither he went” (Hebrews 11:8).
Abrahamās faith didnāt stop there. He also trusted Godās promise that he and Sarah would have a son, even though they were well beyond childbearing years:
“He staggered not at the promise of God through unbelief; but was strong in faith, giving glory to God” (Romans 4:20).
Through Abrahamās faith, Isaac was born, and Godās promise of a great nation began to unfold.
2ļøā£ Moses: Stepping into the Impossible š
When Moses led the Israelites out of Egypt, they faced an impossible situation: Pharaohās army was pursuing them from behind, and the Red Sea stretched before them. But Moses trusted Godās promise to deliver His people:
“Fear ye not, stand still, and see the salvation of the Lord” (Exodus 14:13).
God parted the sea, making a way where there was none. Mosesā faith reminds us that no situation is too impossible for God.
3ļøā£ David: Facing the Giant with Faith š”ļø
David, a young shepherd boy, faced Goliath armed with only a sling and five stones. By sight, the odds were stacked against him. But David declared:
“The battle is the Lordās” (1 Samuel 17:47).
Davidās victory over Goliath is a powerful reminder that faith in Godās power triumphs over any giant we face.
4ļøā£ Peter: Walking on Water šāļø
When Jesus called Peter to step out of the boat, Peter did the impossibleāhe walked on water. But when he took his eyes off Jesus and focused on the storm, he began to sink.
Beloved, this story reminds us that faith requires us to fix our eyes on Jesus, not on our circumstances:
“Looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith” (Hebrews 12:2).
šæ Faith Triumphs Over Sight
These stories remind us that faith is not about what we seeāitās about trusting the One who sees all. When we walk by faith, we fix our eyes on the promises of God rather than the challenges in front of us.
What impossible situation are you facing today? Is it a loved one who seems far from God, a financial burden that feels overwhelming, or a health challenge that has shaken your faith? Whatever it is, trust the Lord. He is faithful.
š A Closing Prayer
Heavenly Father,
Thank You for calling us to walk by faith and not by sight. Lord, we confess that at times it is difficult to trust You when the path ahead feels uncertain or the challenges seem insurmountable. But today, we choose to place our trust in You.
Strengthen our hearts, Lord, and remind us of Your faithfulness in the past. Let the testimonies of Your goodness encourage us to trust You in the present and the future.
Help us to fix our eyes on Jesus, the Author and Finisher of our faith. Give us boldness to obey You, patience to wait on Your timing, and joy to celebrate Your goodness in all circumstances.
We trust You completely, Lord, and we give You all the glory. Thank You for being our refuge and strength, our ever-present help in trouble.
In Jesusā mighty and matchless name, Amen.
š Final Words of Encouragement
Beloved, walking by faith is not always easy, but it is always worth it. The God who parted the Red Sea, raised Jesus from the dead, and brought my grandfather to salvation is the same God who is with you today. Trust Him, obey Him, and watch as He works mightily in your life.
With love in Christ,
Preacher Burnside āļøšæ
(Psalm 23:1)