Saturday, January 23, 2010

Faith

Lately, I have been journaling more on my blog more. I just recently remembered how much I used to love to journal and stopped not long after I got married. I was reminded by someone how important it is to write things down so you can see how far you come. So here are a few of my thoughts and ramblings.


Faith. It has been on my mind a lot here recently. Why is so easy to have faith in some things and so hard to have faith in others? Just today, while driving down the road, I passed under a bridge that is being constructed. I have passed underneath this bridge hundreds of times without ever thinking about it. I have faith that the people building this bridge are doing what they should and it won't collapse on my car while I drive under it. I have faith that when I ride an elevator it will take me to the top without any problems. I have faith that I will make it home and back safe every time I go out without ever a second thought. We put our faith, blind faith, in things all the time but when it comes to spiritual faith it's another story.

How can someone have faith enough to get on a plane and fly around the world but not have enough faith to believe in Jesus Christ? People accept that an explosion just created all that we see easier than believing there is a God and that He created the world in seven days. People accept things so out of the realm of our comprehension like how gravity works, keeps up standing up straight, but you can travel to somewhere towards the top or bottom of the earth and still be standing in the same direction. We can accept all that but can't except that Jesus is God's Son; he came to earth, lived a perfect life, and died on the cross to be the ultimate sacrifice for our sins.

Maybe it's because to believe in Christ, means your faith will be tested. When you believe, you become accountable for what you do and say. You have people watching you to see how you will show your faith. If you don't believe in God, then there are no consequences for your actions. Of course, that is not the case. We will all be judged one day whether you believe here on earth or not. I just think most people who don't believe are just self absorbed and really don't want to have to work for or towards anything or anyone but themselves. It’s the way we are wired, our sinful nature is all about me, self. So, if there is no belief then you don’t have to depend on someone else to meet your needs. When you believe, you have to give up control of your life. God will see what you are willing to give to Him and what you are willing to do for Him, He will test your faith.

I know what faith is, I have seen it firsthand. Maybe it makes it easier for me to believe because I have seen it. My parents had blind faith, when they moved off from home and left everyone they knew and loved behind to do what God was calling them to do. Because of their faith, I saw things growing up I wouldn't have seen otherwise. I am not saying my parents didn't work hard and that God just gave us handouts, it was just the opposite in fact. The Lord met our needs whether big or small because my parents did their part and had the faith to believe God would provide whatever we lacked. It's not always glamorous but He always gives in the way sees best. I don't have the best car or the nicest house but I am able to stay at home with my children, debt free, because I was willing to sacrifice some things in order to what the Lord wanted me to do. He has brought me opportunities to make extra money for my family several times and I have faith he will continue to do so as long as I am willing to listen and respond when talked to.

I have never had to experience life altering circumstances that really test my faith to the limit but I think those little trials and tribulations are just as meaningful. If you are never tested, how could you ever grow? If you never grew, how would your faith ever hold in the times of tremendous struggles? I still feel like I am a new Christian a lot of time because I really didn't start living for the Lord and listening to His voice until I had my children. I have a lot of head knowledge but my heart knowledge is just now starting to catch up. I know with all of my being that the Lord was calling me to do something as a teenager and I didn’t listen. I changed coarse and, in essence, changed His will for my life. I know I didn’t step out with blind faith and I took a different path. I then walked away from my faith for a while. I didn’t want to face the decision I made, so I tuned His voice out. I just now am getting back on track and listening to His voice again. I am learning to listen to that small voice and learning when to step out on faith and let the Lord to guide me in the way He deems best. It is amazing how freeing it has been just to let go and give it all to Him. I don't worry about all things that are out of my control, I have stopped playing the “what if game”, I am trying to focus on the here and now, I am working on my walk and heart, I am trying to do what He wants me to do, and looking forward to the days to come. I want to be sure, if I ever do have one of those life altering circumstances that my faith does not waver and I can have joy and peace in the storm.

2 comments:

Tina said...

Becky, what a great post! It encouraged me and you said some things I really needed to hear right now. Thank you!

Tammy On the Go said...

hey girl...

yes, the beach is only a little over an hour from me...come on down sometime!