What is Faith? By Mayada Naami
“Now faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see.“
(Hebrews 11:1, NIV)
Contrary to what people tell you, you don’t have to see it to believe it. I had the pleasure this past weekend to participate in the 3rd Annual Level Up Dallas Women’s Conference where I was invited to share my testimony and speak on faith. I prayed and fasted for two weeks prior to the conference and kept seeing the number pattern “111” on license plates, on my phone, and even randomly on the side of a van. The day before the conference, while researching Bible verses on faith, I read Hebrews 11:1. This number pattern has a special significance for me because I was saved 11 years ago in 2011. That same year I lost my source of income, received a notice of eviction (on 11/1/11) and was given 10 days to leave. I was bankrupt and homeless on 11/11/11.
“‘If you can?’” said Jesus. ‘Everything is possible for one who believes.’”
(Mark 9:23, NIV)
In the years following the eviction, I had no idea where I was going or how I was going to survive. I only knew that I needed to give up control of my life and surrender my will to His. I was so exhausted from trying to do things my way. I spoke to Him daily. I gave Jesus the wheel. I prayed incessantly. When He said to move, I moved. When He said to be still, I waited patiently for Him to tell me when to move again. Seven years later, after relocating six times, I moved to Dallas.
Seven symbolizes completion (“seven” is spelled with the same consonants as the Hebrew word שבע “complete/full”). I knew, as soon as I arrived in Dallas, it’s where I belonged. I was blessed with a good job and decided to plant roots and buy a house. After closing on the house, I asked the builder for the code to my front door and he said, “1111.” At that moment I realized that Jesus was traveling with me through the storm, from my eviction on 11/11/11 to my new home in Dallas with the entry code of 1111. In Mathew 8, Jesus calmed the storm and turned to the apostles and said, “Why are you afraid, O you of little faith?” Brothers and sisters in Christ, fear not. The Bible tells us in Hebrews 11:1, faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see.
Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight.