I Need Clarity

Message Series: Lies Christians Like

Message Title: Faith Over Clarity

Author: Will Bandy

Key: Media Scripture Slides Personal Stories

Intro: Okay, anyone else loving summer break so far? Man, there’s nothing like having some time off to rest and reset. But I remember when I was in school, summer never felt quite long enough, right? As much as we enjoyed the break, there was always that looming feeling that it would eventually end. And with that came the uncertainty of stepping into a new school year something unknown, something unfamiliar.

And let’s be honest: what’s scarier than stepping into something you’ve never lived before?

Maybe this summer, you’ve felt yourself asking God, “What’s next?” Maybe you’re not super anxious about starting high school or heading off to college, but that uncertainty still creeps in. I remember being in that same place. Every time one season ended, and a new one began, I found myself asking God a lot of questions:

“What’s my future look like?”

“Will I get into that program?”

“Will my family get better?”

“How can I be sure I won’t mess things up?”

Those are big questions and if you’ve been asking them, you’re not alone. There’s real tension in not knowing what’s ahead.

I think that’s why we all love GPS apps so much. Waze, Google Maps, whatever you use they give us clear, step-by-step directions and require zero faith. You just follow the path and end up at your destination.

But life doesn’t work like that. And more importantly, our relationship with God doesn’t work like that either. He doesn’t always give us turn-by-turn instructions. And if we’re honest, that can frustrate us. Why? Because human nature craves clarity. We want to know where we’re going and exactly how to get there.

That brings us to what we’ve been talking about all summer “Lies Christians Like”. Because a lie believed as truth will affect your life as if it were true. And one of the most dangerous lies we can believe is this:

“Clarity comes before faith.”

In other words, “I’ll take a step of faith after God gives me clarity.” Or “I’ll trust Him when I can see what He’s doing.”

Now, we might not say that out loud... but a lot of us live like it’s true. We wait for confirmation before we move. We want proof before we trust. But when it comes to following God into the unknown whether it’s school, your future, or something more personal we have to ask ourselves:

What comes first? Clarity or faith?

To help us answer that, I think there’s no better place to start than Hebrews 11.

Because out of all places in the bible. Hebrews 11 is literally dubbed the HALL of FAITH. Dating back to DECADES of our Christian ancestors living out their faith in such a way that they will never be forgotten. The whole purpose of the book of Hebrews was to help new believers move from stunted growth to a pattern of growth in their faith in Jesus. And what better way to do that than by pointing back to all the people in Scripture who chose to walk by faith, not by clarity?

Truth: What’s Faith?

So, what is faith? Hebrews 11:1 puts it this way, check it out:

“Now faith is the reality of what is hoped for, the proof of what is not seen. For by this, our ancestors were approved.”

Let’s pause on that. This verse tells us something huge: Faith isn’t based on what we can see, it’s based on what we hope for. It's the proof of what we don’t see.

See, when we chase clarity first, what we’re really after is something we can be sure of—something visible, predictable, and safe.

Because clarity says: “I know what’s coming, and I trust it because I can see it.”

But faith is different. Faith says:

“I don’t see it yet—but I trust who said it, and I trust what He promised.”

And that changes everything.

If we’re going to live by faith, there will be moments—probably a lot of them—where we have to take God at His word. We’ll have to move without all the answers. We’ll have to trust without the full picture. And maybe that’s where some of us are struggling right now.

You’re trying to make faith decisions... but based on clarity. You want to follow Jesus, but only if the plan is laid out. You want to obey, but only if it makes sense first. But that’s not how life with Jesus works. The Bible says:

“The righteous will live by faith.”

Not “The righteous will live by clarity.”

And Hebrews 11 doesn’t just say that once—it spends an entire chapter showing it. Over and over, we see stories of people who trusted God, not because they had all the details, but because they believed Him. They lived by faith, not by sight. And this isn’t just for them but is a blueprint for all of us today. Because

we’re all called to live by faith—but what that looks like can be very different depending on the season we’re in.

For some of us, we’re asking God for clarity because we genuinely have no idea what our next step should be. We’re staring at a blank page, trying to figure out where to go, who to be, what decision to make. So, the question becomes:

What does it look like to live by faith when you don’t know the next step?

But let me flip that around—because clarity isn’t the magic solution either.

Some of us feel like we do have a pretty clear sense of what’s next. You got the acceptance letter, the job offer, the open door. But here’s the truth:

Even when you do have clarity, you’re still called to live by faith.

So whether you’re unsure of your next move, or feel like the path ahead is already unfolding—faith is still the way forward.

And to help us see both sides of this, I want to look at two people who are actually listed in the “Hall of Faith” right here in Hebrews 11.

Two people, two different stories, but one thing in common: They both walked by faith.

Their names are Abraham and Joseph. And Hebrews 11 highlights quickly what they were remembered for but in order to get the true gold out each story we got to do some digging:

Let’s turn our focus to Abraham first to talk about trusting without a full picture.

He’s a powerful example for those of us who feel like we’ve got no clear direction. No dream. No plan. Just a sense that God is asking you to trust Him. In fact, Scripture calls him the father of faith. Lets dive in.

Abraham doesn’t exactly get a blueprint or a vision board from God. He didn’t even get a destination. All he got was a call. Check it out. Genesis 12:1–2 says:

“The Lord had said to Abram, ‘Go from your country, your people and your father’s household to the land I will show you. I will make you into a great nation, and I will bless you…’”

Did you catch that? God said “Go”… but didn’t say where.

Just a promise that along the way, God would show him the rest.

Abraham was 75 years old when this happened. Wealthy. Settled. Comfortable. And yet, God said, “Leave everything familiar behind and trust Me.” No map. No plan. Just obedience.

If Abraham had waited for clarity before taking the first step, he never would’ve moved. But Hebrews 11:8 highlights that:

“By faith Abraham, when called to go… obeyed and went, even though he did not know where he was going.”

That’s the whole point: Abraham had no idea where he was going but he still ended up where God wanted him to be.

So, what does it look like to live by faith when you don’t know what’s next?

It looks like this: Draw closer to God than you do to a plan. Stay near to the One who does know. And trust that He’ll take you where He wants, when He’s ready for you to be there.

Students, faith isn’t about GPS signals or God giving you all the steps before you start walking. Faith is often just saying “yes” before you see the whole picture. Some of you are in that season right now.God, I don’t know what school to choose…

God, I don’t know what school to choose…God, I don’t know what friends to trust…

God, I don’t know what friends to trust…God, I don’t know how to fix what’s broken in my family.

God, I don’t know how to fix what’s broken in my family.God, I don’t know what my purpose is.

God, I don’t know what my purpose is.God, I don’t know how this ends…

God, I don’t know how this ends…

These are all heard by God… and God may simply be saying: “Trust me and take the next step.”

These are all heard by God… and God may simply be saying: “Trust me and take the next step.”

We think faith is about being sure. But biblical faith is about trusting God when you aren’t.

We think faith is about being sure. But biblical faith is about trusting God when you aren’t.

Abraham reminds us:

Abraham reminds us: you don’t have to see the full picture to follow God faithfully.

Now on the flip side. Let’s turn to Joseph. His story connects with those of you who do feel like God has given you a dream, a vision, or a clear picture of where He’s taking you someday.

Joseph was Abraham’s great-grandson. So, imagine the stories passed down through that family. Stories of faith. Of trusting God when it didn’t make sense. I wonder if Joseph had a deeper confidence in uncertainty because of the legacy of Abraham’s faith. Because what happens next is crazy!

At just 17 years old, Joseph received a dream from God—one that showed his brothers and even his father bowing down before him.

Genesis 37:10 says:

“When he told his father as well as his brothers, his father rebuked him and said, ‘What is this dream you had? Will your mother and I and your brothers actually come and bow down to the ground before you?’ His brothers were jealous of him, but his father kept the matter in mind.”

What comes next feels like a plot twist. Joseph is betrayed by his brothers, sold into slavery, falsely accused, and thrown into prison. Then, he's forgotten by people he helped and left to rot in jail. If you do the math, for over 20 years, his life looked nothing like the dream he was given. And yet Joseph won wherever God had him.

Whether it was as a servant in Potiphar’s house or as a prisoner, Scripture says the Lord was with him. In fact, one of the most powerful statements repeated in Joseph’s story is that whatever was under Joseph’s care, no one worried about. Why? Because he was faithful, even when he didn’t know how God was going to fulfill the dream.

That’s the lesson: Faith isn’t just about where you’re going, it’s about remaining faithful with God where you are.Joseph didn’t need to know the steps. He just needed to stay close to the One ordering them.

Joseph didn’t need to know the steps. He just needed to stay close to the One ordering them. If he had been obsessed with clarity he might’ve given up in the pit. Or in the prison. But he didn’t. He just stayed faithful where he was… and eventually, the dream came to pass.

Some of you are in that space right now. You feel like God gave you a glimpse of your future… but the path to it feels completely unclear.

God, you gave me a dream that one day my family would be whole again…God, you gave me a vision of playing in the NFL—not just for the spotlight, but to lift my family out of struggle and pain…

God, you gave me a vision of playing in the NFL—not just for the spotlight, but to lift my family out of struggle and pain…God, you gave me a dream to lead others—to make a difference in my school or community…

God, you gave me a dream to lead others—to make a difference in my school or community…God, you gave me a vision of healing—of breaking the cycle in my family…

God, you gave me a vision of healing—of breaking the cycle in my family…God, you gave me a dream to be the first in my family to graduate, to build a new future…

God, you gave me a dream to be the first in my family to graduate, to build a new future…

Joseph’s story reminds us: it’s not your job to know how, it’s your job to be faithful now.And when you stay close to God today, He’ll get you where He wants you to be tomorrow.

And when you stay close to God today, He’ll get you where He wants you to be tomorrow.His story didn’t end in disappointment. It ended with a fulfilled dream

His story didn’t end in disappointment. It ended with a fulfilled dream and a life of faith remembered.

Application:

See students interestingly enough, "By faith" is mentioned 18 times in Hebrews 11. Eighteen times in one chapter, Scripture says 'By faith...' Not 'By certainty,' not 'By perfect circumstances'—but by faith they moved forward, trusted God, and changed history.

In all instances Its CLEAR… Faith goes before clarity. Because the righteous can live without clarity, but they cannot live without FAITH!

One of my favorite lines that affirms this comes from Jospeh’s story concerning his brothers and I think Abraham would agree. He says

“8 “So then, it was not you who sent me here, but God.”

Don’t get this confused students in both stories God was the one sending them and guiding their steps… But they both trusted and obeyed even when it seemed unclear.

And whatever side of the coin you find yourself on both have the same solution to the problem presented.

Students you cannot live without Faith. But you can live without full clarity. Faith In God is the only answer. This means trusting in God That he will get you where you need to be. Exactly when you need to be there. That he will provide for you in times of certainty and uncertainty. God is Trustworthy and Hebrews 11 is visible proof of this.

Close: SP Note: Tell a story of how you had to trust without having full clarity to close

I didn’t understand how much I lived my life this way with God until one day I was on a fishing trip with my father in upstate NY. We stopped by the fishing store to get more equipment and while I was in there a salesman said “what IF I told you this blank screen was actually a video of a beautiful waterfall with fishes swimming around underwater? Starring at a blank white screen I thought this dude was crazy haha. But I was intrigued so I stopped to entertain myself. He then said don’t believe me? Try on these glasses and tell me what you see? And I’ll never forget it, as soon as I put on the glasses and looked at the Tv I saw EXACTLY what the man described. I put them on and off quickly just to see if he was playing lol. He wasn’t. See Students this is what it looks like with Faith. The screen is our dream of where God might be asking us to go, and we have to TRUST that what he says is true. Even if we can see it or not. When I had on the glasses, I could see what was unseen and then I believed. But that’s not faith

Faith in Action is believing without seeing the full picture because God is in control. And for us today the “hall of Faith” is still open! And maybe you could be up there one day. With that in mind

As you head to groups start thinking where in your life have you been asking God for clarity instead of asking him for more faith. Because Faith always comes before Clarity. Let’s Pray