Developing Great Faith in the Footsteps of the Ultimate Leader

Charles Stanley left a mark on the Christian community, helping many discover Jesus, and grow in their faith. But, as any great leader in the faith, I don’t have to know him personally to assume Charles Stanley would prefer the footsteps of his life lead to and proclaim the glory of the Lord. His journey is yet another example of following the ultimate leader: Jesus. We may not all be called to lead in the capacity of a leader like Charles Stanley, but we are all called to ministry in our own lives. Developing great faith is found in following the footsteps of Jesus. 

The Footsteps of Obedience

“Wait patiently for the LORD. Be brave and courageous. Yes, wait patiently for the LORD.” – Psalm 27:14 NLT

Charles Stanley is known for this iconic piece of advice: “Obey God and leave all the consequences to Him.” Obedience is undoubtedly a building block of great faith, mentioned in high volume throughout the Bible. We are designed to look to and for God in all circumstances. Though the streak of rebellious independence rages throughout our bloodstreams, our mind’s eye is meant to see life through the perspective of our Savior, Jesus. This life is not easy, nor did God ever promise it would be. Setting our plans and agendas aside is difficult, but it allows us to grow strong roots of humility and patience. The joy we find in obedience to God is set apart from the fleeting happiness of this world. Jesus walked out the will of the Father, no matter how painful it got, providing the perfect example we are to follow. The footsteps of Jesus lead us to a life that is obedient to God.

The Footsteps of Strength

“So be strong and courageous! Do not be afraid and do not panic before them. For the LORD your God will personally go ahead of you. He will neither fail you nor abandon you.” Deuteronomy 31:6 NLT

Charles Stanley said, “You have to have the courage to be obedient to God." He didn’t say this in naivety towards the difficulty life presents but despite it. Strength is developed not only in doing hard work but in trusting the Lord to fill the gaps in which we fall short of our own power. Stanley said, “Granddad told me, ‘Charles, if God tells you to run your head through a brick wall, you head for the wall, and when you get there, God will make a hole for it.’” — Courageous Faith Jesus, fully God, and fully man exercised strength as He obediently fulfilled the will of the Father on the cross. In humility, He won the final victory over death. Strength is more than physical or mental endurance but is our soul’s sold-out submission to God. 

The Footsteps of Prayer

“Always be joyful. Never stop praying. Be thankful in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you who belong to Christ Jesus.” 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 NLT

Prayer is powerful. Jesus, Himself, prayed in the garden before the road to His crucifixion began. “He humbled himself in obedience to God and died a criminal’s death on the cross.” (Philippians 2:8 NLT) Jesus often prayed with the Father, especially before prominent miracles of the New Testament, and His temptation in the desert. Prayer prepares us. We find comfort, encouragement, and healing in the arms of our Father through prayer. Charles Stanley said, “We must remember that the shortest distance between our problems and their solutions is the distance between our knees and the floor.”

The Footsteps of Trust

“Trust in the LORD with all your heart; do not depend on your own understanding. Seek His will in all you do, and He will show you which path to take.” Proverbs 3:5-6 NLT

Trust takes strength, obedience, and prayer! Genuine trust in the Lord grows from our knowledge of who He is. When we understand who He is, and Whose we are, salvation in Christ comes together. Through salvation in Christ, we have the Holy Spirit living in us, to help us understand the Scriptures, and see life through the perspective of our Savior. Stanley said, “So right now, set your mind on this truth: Our God is a planner. He is not a reactor. He did not set this world in motion to be ruled by chance or wild, unchecked forces. Nor did he create you to live without hope and purpose.” — The Will of God: Understanding and Pursuing His Ultimate Plan for Your Life Confidence in God produces a steadfast trust we need to follow in the footsteps of Christ. Jesus prayed for there to be any other way than the cross but vowed to obey His Father’s will. 

The Footsteps of Study

“All Scripture is inspired by God and is useful to teach us what is true and to make us realize what is wrong in our lives. It corrects us when we are wrong and teaches us to do what is right. God uses it to prepare and equip his people to do every good work.” 2 Timothy 3:16-17 NLT

Jesus is the Living Word of God. We wouldn’t blindly follow someone, even on the best note of hearsay. To know Jesus is to know the Word. The Bible is so much more than a listicle of wise advice and sage stories. It’s alive. Charles Stanley said, “The fullness of the Spirit and godly character await those who choose God over self.” — “How Do We Live a Spirit-Filled Life?” Time is valuable, but no time is more crucial to our health than the study of God’s Word. We don’t have to be scholars, because He meets us where we are, and the Holy Spirit helps us see and understand. The study of God’s Word allows us to see life differently, through the lens of joy, peace, hope, faith, love, and …Living Water. 

The Footsteps of Faith 

“For we live by believing and not by seeing.” 2 Corinthians 5:7 NLT

A young teen spoke up during Bible study, “Sometimes you just have to have faith.” But in what? And why? When someone asks about our faith, a literal life is on the line. Faith isn’t a fleeting explanation for how we live. Faith produces the way we live, in Love. Great faith is the product of prayer, Bible study, and personal relationship with Jesus. Paul wrote to Timothy, “For God has not given us a spirit of fear and timidity, but of power, love, and self-discipline.” 2 Timothy 1:7 NLT

Great faith is developed by the Lord, Himself, through Christ Jesus, and the power of the Holy Spirit in us. Charles Stanley said, “He is the only One who knows the plans that He has for us and how they can be fulfilled. They are plans that contain renewed peace and joy.” — God Has a Plan for Your Life: The Discovery that Makes All the Difference Each day we are given to live is filled with a specific purpose. Leaders in faith like Charles Stanley are great because their daily lives follow the footsteps of the Ultimate Leader, Jesus, and thus lead everyone who follows them, ultimately to Him. 

Photo Credit: ©GettyImages/JulianSchaldach

Meg writes about everyday life within the love of Christ at megbucher.com. She is the author of “Friends with Everyone, Friendship within the Love of Christ,” “Surface, Unlocking the Gift of Sensitivity,” “Glory Up, The Everyday Pursuit of Praise,” “Home, Finding Our Identity in Christ,” and "Sent, Faith in Motion." Meg earned a Marketing/PR degree from Ashland University but stepped out of the business world to stay home and raise her two daughters …which led her to pursue her writing passion. A contributing writer for Salem Web Network since 2016, Meg is now thrilled to be a part of the editorial team at Salem Web Network. Meg loves being involved in her community and local church, leads Bible study, and serves as a youth leader for teen girls.