Ever since I was a little girl, I always had the sense that God wanted to use my life for a special purpose. I was raised in a family where faith was not just something that we talked about but the way we lived our lives. When I was young, I remember my Mom gathering my sisters and I together to pray; she would encourage and teach us how to hear God’s voice. We would pray for the president, our nation, local pastors, our family and then whatever our needs were. It was always in that order. As a young girl, it was the most amazing thing to see God answer my prayers even for things that only a little girl would ask for!
Lately, I have been thinking a lot about faith, what it is and what it is not. I really think that faith is much simpler than most people make it out to be. Faith is really just simply trusting in God; Who He is, what He says and living our lives in a way that reflects hope to the world around us.
If you don’t know Him it might be hard to trust Him. But the more you spend time with him, learn who He is, I think it is just natural to begin to rely on Him. Religion seems to make things so complicated, there’s always something more that you should be doing, it’s like you walk around with the feeling that you are always be critiqued. As I grew up, and began to make a stronger commitment to the Lord, there were times that I was trying so hard to please God. My faith did not bring peace, joy or fulfillment but it was something that was always just a little out of reach. Can I say frustrating! I was working so hard trying to accomplish what Jesus had already done for me. As I continued down my journey with the Lord I began to experience his grace, and out of that I began to walk God’s peace on a daily basis. I woke up this morning with this thought, “Peace is not overrated”. I am learning that real faith always leads to peace. In a world where most everything we need is at our disposal, one thing that most people want but can’t seem to obtain is peace.
I pray that this year will be a year of great faith for your and your family. Not faith in what you can do, but faith in what Jesus has already finished for you. And out of that faith, a greater peace than you have ever none will fill your heart, your family and your home.
Lots of Love.
Liz
