It has been a little while since my last blog post. I have had a lot going on in life, and in my mind, that I just wasn't sure when would be the appropriate time to write, or what I should even write about. I've always held to the standard that I would not write unless God directed my hand. I think one reason I have halted from writing is due to the fact that God has been speaking to me specifically on an issue. It is a lot more difficult to write about something piercing your heart than something that may pierce someone else.
A few evenings ago, I had it on my heart to read Hebrews 11. As I was reading, one specific verse stuck out to me. Verse 6 states, "But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him." As I thought to myself, I considered how often people stop reading after the "believing that he is" part. Then I realized that I am the one who typically does that. And God began to show me some things about the plan He has for me.
Looking back on times, I feel like my faith has been small. Yes, through faith I have received salvation. I have had enough faith to give pieces of my life to God. I feel like I have had moments of surrender, and moments where I truly wanted to entrust Him with everything. That is a wonderful place to be! But that should never be the end of a Christian's goals for faith. What I just described is not a faith mentioned anywhere in Hebrews 11. Mature faith in Christ goes beyond partially yielding control of your life to Him. Faith can and should challenge you.
So what does having a mature faith entail? These are all things I am just now learning. It means fully trusting God when you do not understand the facts. When speaking of Moses, Hebrews 11: 25 says, "Choosing rather to suffer affliction with the people of God, than to enjoy the pleasures of sin for a season." Moses could not have known what would have happened to him when he forsook all that Egypt had to offer. With one decision, he gave up his financial security, his status, and any rights to ruling he could have had. If you consider the facts, that decision does not make sense. He did not wait to make his decision until he had alternate routes of income, status, or a way to keep the throne. He immediately made his choice. Looking back on my life, I would have to say it has been difficult for me to do so in the past. The more control I try to take over my life, the less control I am giving the Lord. Each time I fret about a situation of family, finances, or even simple fears, I am taking control of the situation into my own hands. Even if I pray about it, if I do not yield control to Him, how much faith to do I really hold? It would be the equivalent to me asking a friend to stay at my house while I was on vacation, but me coming home every hour to see if everything is in order. What would the real point be? How much faith would I be putting in that friend?
Mature faith also means realizing that God wants to reward you. As I stated earlier, the ending of verse 6 says, "and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him." I believe that sometimes in the Christian life, we get burdened down with situations, and we assume that it should always be that way. If that were so, why would Jesus have risen from the dead? As it says in John 10:10, "I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly." An abundant life does not arise from troubles, although they may come. An abundant life comes in spite of trouble, when you realize that God has the best for you. I'm tired of Christians painting the Christian life as one of sorrow. Why do so many people leave the church? I feel like it is directly tied with their faith not being strengthened. And faith becomes strong when you realize that God has amazing things for you, even if the way there is not easy. God has all the power needed to change whatever circumstance that you face! Why would He not step in and work in the life of His children?
Mature faith also, however, comes with realizing your need to diligently seek Him. Psalm 37: 5 states, "Commit thy way unto the LORD; trust also in him, and he shall bring it to pass." God expects commitment from us. This part is probably one of the most difficult ones for most Christians. This one requires effort. Faith hinges on the relationship you have with the Lord. If you do not get to know Him, how can you know that you can fully trust Him when the facts are standing against you? If you do not get to know Him, how can you know that He wants to reward you and give you an abundant life? Getting to know God is so much more than going to church out of habit or ritual. Getting to know God requires that you seek Him.
So all of these thoughts struck my heart especially this past week. God is doing a lot of amazing things in my life. He has opened doors for Caleb and I, and although there are plenty of things that I could write about being fearful of, or still in prayer for, all I can say is I know God is working to extend our faith. How do I know this? Jeremiah 29: 11 states, "For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the LORD, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end." God has great things in store, and has an expectation for my life. I was not placed on this planet just to take up space. And what is the great part about that? Neither was anyone reading this. God has great things for you, and He can help you build a great faith. A faith like what is mentioned here:
Who through faith subdued kingdoms, wrought righteousness, obtained promises, stopped the mouths of lions, quenched the violence of fire, escaped the edge of the sword, out of weakness were made strong, waxed valiant in fight, turned to flight the armies of the aliens. Women received their dead raised to life again: and others were tortured, not accepting deliverance; that they might obtain a better resurrection: And others had trail of cruel mockings and scourgings, yea, moreover of bonds and imprisonment: They were stoned, they were sawn asunder, were tempted, were slain with the sword: they wandered about in sheepskins and goatskins; being destitute, afflicted, tormented; (Of whom the world was not worthy:) they wandered in deserts and in mountains, and in dens and caves of the earth.
