Hitting a milestone in my life recently (33rd birthday) was a wake-up call for me. I'm 1/3 of the way to 100. It's alarming how I have balanced between the enormous blessings in my life and the way that I allow my life to often spin out of control.
I'm sort of..."blessed, but depressed"...does that make any sense?
One part of my life seems headed in the right direction. Other parts are in heavy retreat mode. Ever been there?
One of the most important passages in the New Testament is Hebrews 11. Not only does is draw the common thread between the Old and New Testaments - but it speaks to the issue of "faith." That is the central issue for all who call themselves Christians.
One of the key elements...reall the foundation...of Faith...is to trust that God has our best interests at heart. So, when we put our faith in what He says and and what He directs us to do...then we are aligning our hearts with His!
Not only is this important. Not only is it critical. IT IS THE VERY FOUNDATION FOR LIFE IN CHRIST!!!
Look at Hebrews 11:6 "Without faith, it is
IMPOSSIBLE to please God." (Emphasis added).
It doesn't say that "God would prefer..." or "God would like it better if..."
IMPOSSIBLE!
Going back to Romans...look at Chapter 14. This gets into what we should eat or drink & how we should make even our most basic choices out of faith.
The end of Romans 14:23 says, "and everything that does not come from faith is
SIN." (Emphasis added).
Lack of faith is actually a sin. Not just something we should work on. But something that we need to repent of.
So that's where I find myself. Needing to repent of my lack of faith. My mind sees the blessings I have, but my heart only sees the obstacles. That's a lack of faith. I strive and scheme and find ways to provide satisfaction for myself. Maybe it's because I don't always have enough faith to believe God has my best interest at heart.
It's sad, really.
And it's sinful. And it doesn't please Him.
Since pleasing Him is what I was created to do...then maybe that's why the road ahead often seems confusing. I'm off target because I've abandoned my primary purpose. Yikes!!!
Oh me of little faith! Lord, Help my unbelief!
I would encourage you today to inspect your hearts & look honestly at your motives. You can do or say all of the right things - but without the right heart (a heart full of faith in Him) - it's impossible to please God. But you don't have to do it alone. He will provide the faith you need...you just have to ackowledge your lack of it. I spoke of Hebrews 11 earlier. But read on to Hebrews 12...verse 2 says God is the "author and finisher of our faith." It's just like Him to require something of us...that He is willing to provide for us.
I can already sense the fog lifting over my own life. Not because of anything I've done. But because I've given it over to Him. He started the work of building a faithful heart. I trust He will complete it!
