"What are you doing in your life that requires faith?"

One question that Francis Chan brought up in Crazy Love that has really challenged me is, "What are you doing in your life that requires faith?"  If I am honest, I have to answer "nothing."

I like control.  I have created my life so that I have it.  I know our budget, our income and expenses.  I make sure we have enough to cover our bills as we determine what we can give away.  I know how to make sure my family will have a roof over our head, food at every meal, a well-maintanined vehicle and even throw in some extra for fun and frivolity.

I live in a comfortable suburbian neighborhood with a good school.  My kids will get a good education.  We are part of a wonderful church community, we will be taught much about Jesus.  We have friends, neighbors and family who like us, who care of us, and who we can rely on if we are ever in need.

There is little room in that picture for actual faith, and reliance on God beyond words.

We can ask for things, but we do it in such a away that even if God doesn't answer it the way that we want we are still protected.  This is not what he wants for us.

How can I see and grasp the fullness of who He is, if I am not willing to allow him to reveal that to me in my own life?  What can I do to make changes in my life that would require me to place my faith in God, without a safety net in place?

Give away more money than we "can" to still make ends meet?

Adopt a child, when I am far from feeling capable or happily willing to raising 3?

Moving my family to a community among the poorest of the poor and creating a life of service out of our every day interactions?

I am beginning to pray a frightening pray: that God would show me the areas in my life that He would like me to change.  Areas that I can give over to Him, in faith.  Areas of control that I will not want to let go of, but will draw me closer to Him if I do.