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Gotta Have A Little Faith
She was young and beautifully bold, yet somewhat shy as she asked the question, so innocently, “if God is so great and everything, then why does He let bad stuff happen?” I looked back into her sweet brave but confused eyes, as she shared this question and smiled. She prefaced this question with, “ I hope you don’t think I am bad for asking this?”
The innocents and humility of this question are so beautiful. When it was asked, I saw in her little face such a hunger for knowledge and a desire to understand and know God personally. As we get older we tend to hide a bit more. Afraid to ask the confusing questions and maybe we guard a bit in fear, yes fear, that someone might find us out, that we may not always have the answers. If we always had the answers then that would really limit our need for God. I learned never to limit God for when I do, and I have, as I am human, He surprises us every time with His Grace.
When answering this question, it is only the beginning of a journey to helping add clarity of accepting the reality of Christ in your life. Let's call it the Uh huh factor. “Well”, I said to her, “first that is a wonderful question and second never worry about my thinking you’re bad, see I only want for you to understand there is one God and He forgives us all the time. He loves us unconditionally and He is always there even when we’re mad or sad or acting out a bit. He is so awesome and He wants and loves questions about Him. This shows you want to know Him and that is exactly what He wants because He already knows you.”
To put your faith in God and believe in Him is just the first step to an amazing journey. When we do this Christ can live in our hearts and there He remains forever. Sadly there is a misconception that God makes bad things happen. Perhaps in some cases, He allows it, for our growth or the completion of His plan. But He never wants bad things to come to us. “For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans to prosper you and not harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. Jeremiah 29:11.” He died for us, all we need to do is go to Him in prayer and ask for His forgiveness and then trust in His promises. “That God so loved the world that He gave His only Son, that whoever believe in Him shall not perish and have eternal life. John 3:16” Now this does not mean we will not meet challenges or trials. It does not mean we will never suffer or have tough times again. “He said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore, I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses so that Christ’s power may rest on me. That is why, for Christ’s sake, I delight in weakness, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak then I am strong. 2 Corinthians 12:9-10”
See, God has chosen us to be His instruments of peace and to shine a light for Him that is so bright and welcoming. He wants for us to reach out to others. When you are lost yourself, you can go to Him, He is right there with you, every step of the way. At the same time, we have to work hard to not become bottom feeders and just get by on scraps. We need to do our best to float to the top. Not trying to be cheeky or preachy just real. We need to feed upon His word and share it with all who come to be fed.
God wants you on His team no matter what. No matter how awkwardly you play, no matter how much you mess up, no matter what you have done in the past or for that matter in the future. God wants to be your coach, your confidant and your best friend. God wants to be your everything. All you have to do is ask Him into your heart, ask Him to forgive you and give you strength. We are called as our sins have died with Christ and so we are raised in Him to live for Him.
Colossians 3: 12-14, Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity.
We, myself included, may not always do as the above passage states. Human nature and the flesh bind us to imperfection. However, to know Him is to love Him and we are so blessed with His perfect word. We just have to remember to feed on the right stuff. Try not to judge one another, but we will, however, we may not know what is written on someone’s heart. God needs all of us and we are not all going to act or look the same, if we did, we would be a small group. God willing we will grow closer to Him by His Grace. We will learn from Him all we gotta have, is a little faith.
Peace in your stages
© 2013 The Stages Of ME
Comments
- Author
JMcFarland
I am aware that God gave us free will. I believe God would have found me regardless of where and how I was brought up. I believe that in a battlefield of earth and or the depths of Hell, is where He finds those best. Kind of like you never really find love when you are looking for it, but more readily when you are open to it. Because no matter how we are raised, at some point we choose. We choose to follow, but more importantly we choose not too. I feel this is almost an important phase in all religions as it is a time of seeking knowledge and understanding. During this time we may solidify a form of religion or belief that is current or geometrically sound to the surrounding of a persons lot in life or cultural placement and yes, all of this is true. I too have experienced some of this, however, I know God is my one true God for other reasons. When I took the knowledge and religion and the doctrines away (although many are important and continue to be to my walk) I am left with this. God, does speak to me, I would say in many ways and not always in the ways I would like. I do not always like what is shared and I am confused at times and have had moments of doubt but then they are gone. The moments when my doubts have come in the past have probably been in my weakest physical and emotional moments, yet when I quieted I heard him and much more loudly and clearly. I am by far anything close to perfect I am just me, I often am humbled by His responses and even angered, but in time I do get it, and usually profoundly. I have learned from the least likely, disappointed by some and I have had to face myself at times in His eyes. Thankfully I forgive us all as we are human and I am forgiven. I can’t answer your questions, not in a greater scientific or biblical detail, not that I can’t, but there are many places you can find those answers. As a knowledgable person I know you have had and are able to find much better resources for that than I can or want to provide. I would just be open to discussion and deep conversation. Even if you give up and continue to question, just keep talking. As in any relationship it is giving attention to it learning and being open to what is being said to you. I do not know how that will be for you, I do not know who will answer back. There are many options in this world but for me there is one choice. I have friends that appreciate that and I appreciate their choices as well. I can’t choose for anyone and I won’t force my choice. I just want to love those around me, learn and keep fighting the battles of this life with fellow sinners accepting our differences. I believe everyone has a choice and it will be made available in all circumstance. I realize those battles are tough and believe you me they are getting tougher. I just know, that is all I can say, and I love my life and my trials and my God. For now my friend I am battling some tough issues on my own and need to give some attention to the joys in my life. As I am sure you know every day is a challenge to learn and grow from. Thank you for sharing with me. I am sure you can respect the need to prioritize our lives and work. I just wish you the best always ,Peace
so you held a belief in a particular god, and attribute everything to him. Others of different faiths believe the same way. It sounds like you believe in the god of the bible because you want to, not because you have proof of him. You are a christian because you were raised in the faith. You knew about it. You accepted it. You follow it to this day. The fact of the matter remains that, had you been raised in a Muslim country, there is a 95% certainty that you would be now saying the same thing about Allah, not the biblical god. Your faith is a product on your upbringing, not on it's veracity.
Is it not possible that your idea of god is incorrect, and that a different deity is seeing fit to answer your prayers? Did god provide you with a copy of his driver's license so that you could identify him? Did he speak to you? I'm not trying to be disrespectful, I'm genuinely curious.
- Author
JMcFarland
You asked how I know which God is answering me? We (my hubby and I) will answer the only way we know how. We believe in the Godhead, the Father eternal, His most precious Son Jesus Christ and His Holy Spirit. We believe this as we feel His protection and guidance through His word, we feel through His Son, who was man, He is approachable and by taking human form He is relatable, and His Holy Spirit speaks to us in too many ways to mention, especially in trials. Here is a funny example. We decided to get away for a quiet weekend at a nice B&B. After battling a long-term illness to be able to afford the time away and the have it fit a crazy schedule of treatments is such a blessing in itself. Now the funny part, two days prior to coming I came down with quite a cold. First, we were late but the sweetest innkeeper named Verna met us. She was so pleasant and welcoming and informative about the area and things to do. The next morning we woke to a beautiful breakfast that took us into a storybook atmosphere as if we had gone back in time. Now trouble kept following us as my cough and cold became worse and most men would have jumped away but not mine he kept trying to find the smiles in between the clouds. Yes, the clouds came but only after a beautiful snow crept in and made a picture seen I could never paint. We stood outside at a Mud Sale, bid on a few small items, anything of value we could not afford, but we had fun. Not wanting to make the cold worse, we chose two small boys about the ages of 7 and 5 to scoot their cart to our car with our few items. The boys were so polite. On the way to our car, which was a bit of a walk. I mentioned, “ I enjoyed the best BBQ chicken of my life there.” The older of the two, looked up with his blonde hair and baby blues and said, “ best of my life too.” His pure innocents as he pushed that cart with his little brother in tow, gave me a feeling of amazing joy in the innocents of service. It was enlightening to spend the day among so many Amish/Mennonite families. They were so welcoming and pleasant as they raised money for their local fire company. Once we got to the car my husband asked if they could split the tip and handed it to them. The oldest was gracious and replied, “Yes sir we can.” As we walked to the front of the car, I looked back once more to watch them as they scooted back toward their families, after they thought we were in our vehicle they stopped just for a moment. The older one had a delightfully joyful look on his face as he tried to explain to the younger, “this is for us.” He saw me out of the corner of his eye and I smiled, he sheepishly smiled back and went on his way. This was not a large amount but the desire to please God and help their purpose was humbling. Now the day did worsen in many ways as we sit here writing to you I may be progressing into walking pneumonia and my hubby even clogged the toilet so we had to summon a plunger. See the point is God has given us everything. Through all of life’s challenges and there are many, we see HIM. In the faces of those around us, in the meeting of life’s challenges among other sinners like ourselves, in the love of our lives regardless of illness, grumpy moods or financial stresses even tragedy. We still find God and Joy and Faith, in snowfalls that turn to cold rain, in the innocents of children, in the laughter of clogged toilets and gracious innkeepers.
We do not claim to know how to lead all to Him, perhaps in that way we are just simple followers, trying to shine a light for Him, but we would never turn back.
We are life learners who have chosen to walk with faith in the Godhead. In dyeing to self we can be saved to live for Christ and by this path we have praises, in every storm, without Him we have sin. We choose to live for Him.
To coin our kids phrase from past memory ~ Peace Out ~ many blessing to you always :)
- Author
Blossom ~ I thank you for stopping in and commenting. I appreciate all comments and I am humbled by the insight of all who wish to share.
Peace and blessing
- Author
getitrite ~
I am so sorry you feel this way. I have found raising children in the light of our Father has been an amazing gift to myself and our children. Our kids have done well and are often better leaders in the word than myself or my husband. Ephesians 6:4 and Provers 22:6 have spoken to me in my young life and now in my adult life. I am pleased that thus far my children have made the same choice and have sought it on their own. I guess you could say there faith is sticking to them and rubbing off on those around them. In this timing of the world there are many things they could choose, but to minister to others and do service and find healthy friendships, makes me smile. They are not perfect children and we are not nearly perfect parents by any means, but we have a joyful home and live a life we are happy with. I do not condemn those who do not follow the word of God. I know that it is a choice, however , I will not apologize for my belief as to serve Christ serves me well, again my choice. If I do this well then I love others as myself and love my neighbor, the best I can as I was raised in this world just like the rest of you. It is a confusing and sad world so, I will hold to my joy in my Faith in God. I wish you all joy and happiness in your own journey's, thanks for allowing me the freedom to share my opinion as well. Peace
As you write, God is a God of surprises and it is wonderful that He has chosen us sinful beings to be instruments of peace and to shine as a light for Him. You have written well.
If this child keeps asking questions, she will eventually come to the conclusion that God is made up. But, thanks to the thoroughly indoctrinated adults in society, this kid will, sadly, be tricked into retaining a fairy tale well into adulthood, and throughout life.
Christians don't really have any answers to these children's questions. Making up stuff is not an answer to the complex questions coming from an innocent mind.
If I gave you the impression that I was angry, I apologize. I'm not angry at all, just curious. How do you know which god its answering you?
- Author
JMcFarland ~
I am sorry I have angered you. I did not intend to. I think I attempted to share my own experience and personal opinion and said I would pray for you to have continued revealed knowledge. I can only share the experience I have had as a my walk of faith has been difficult, but the joy out ways the negative. I can only live by my own experience with how the word of God speaks to me. You are also right I am not a theology degreed person and quite frankly it is not my calling, so I respect your knowledge base. I believe we will just have to agree to disagree as I know God is there and I look forward to my re-union with Him. It is not my job to convince you or anyone for that matter. It is a sin to judge you or anyone as I am not to do so. I am not that special I am just one person who chooses to love God and share Him as He is revealed to me. I want to not harm anyone or thump my bible at them, truly that is not me. I just have such a joy as I read the word and as I feel He is working in my life to teach me. I would like others to experience that but will not push my belief on you or anyone if it is not wanted. However I will continue to share my life and my walk. I hope to only welcome people regardless of their stance or position, values or opinions. I have friends as diverse as the world is wide and I love them all just the way they are. I believe they love me as well, and I listen to them and they listen to me, and we live side by side in love. I am always learning and I will continue to do so, but for me my choice has been made, but that is me not anyone else. Peace to you always
I'm not interested in a sermon which simultaneously informs me about how much god loves me and how much he's going to torture me forever for not believing in something that can't even demonstrate its own existence.
The invisible purple dragon god loves you. If you deny it, he will breathe fire on you forever. I know this to be true because it said so. Do youbelieve me? Of course not, because its absurd - but it is identical to what you're saying - and you still didn't answer my question.
You have to understand that when discussing these things with someone with a theological degree, appeals to emotions and fear and pascals wager simply don't work. There's nothing to fear, and no - its not better to believe in something that cannot be proven just on the off chance that your god is right and every other god claim throughout history is wrong.
- Author
JMcFarland ~ I am answering you from my heart and hope you understand this is my opinion. I value others and learn much from them, however my walk is personal as is yours.
So this is my answer:
Is it not more difficult to believe in nothing than to believe in the amazing possibility of God? I share the doubts of human flesh like all of us, but I also have met Him in some life-changing moments. I have been cursed so to speak and blessed to have come to a point of not breathing on my own. More than once actually, the first time I was frightened beyond belief and yet after the storm I saw the blessing in my life so much clearer. The next time I was actually awake during intubation, and while I did not feel pain I was fully aware. I cried out to Him loudly in my mind, for I was paralyzed. This was a fear like I could never fully explain but very quickly after I screamed inside I was met with an amazing peace. My trials have not ceased but they are nothing compared to the joy I now have. I have always loved my Father but these moments close to the doorway have been a gift, one that surpasses my understanding. I find difficulty meeting challenges like anyone of course. I have limited God and assumed I knew His plan for my life only to be reminded I am not in control. In every circumstance He has revealed knowledge to me and made me come closer again to that peace that I find only in Him. I am not close to the person I need to be for Him. You may see me and think, why is she so weak or lacking patience for Gods timing? Why did she stress or lose it under pressure, if she has God? We are all judged daily but the judges here have no power over me, I seek to please one, and sadly I fail miserably at times. I am honored to persevere and I am saved by His grace, but if I could discard my humanness and flesh then I would be home. I despise my human reaction at times and when I do I seek Him more and again I am comforted. There are so many reasons I should not be here, but I am. And for the most part I have been gifted with a joyful spirit and desire to help others to know that He is everything. I also have knowledge of the beautiful peace and calm that awaits all who believe and live for Him and His glorification. I sometimes struggle with that the most of all, a desire to be in that moment with Him forever. I know our time here is but a moment in comparison. How do I know? Well, if I could fully give you in words the experience of my heart I would. I know there is nothing more real than my Father God in Heaven. I also know that the closer I get to Him the more attacks of the flesh will seek me. I pray I can shine a light for Him in all situations. I do know I am not guilty and will be forgiven in my weaknesses. I pray you find answers on your journey, I pray most of all that you throw out the bonds and chains of religion and fully allow yourself to know God, He will meet you, and I think you know that. He is speaking to you as you are so passionate to denounce Him, He is pursuing you and He will never give up on you. I hope you will be okay and I am going to pray for you. If I am wrong what can it hurt for me to pray that you see God in His word and through His Holy spirit? I pray He reveals Himself to you in a way like no other has experienced, your own personal awakening. I am so in love with my husband and my family and friends, but the intimacy of my God and his word is unfathomable. Please continue to read His word and seek Him. If He is not real then no worries but if He is?
How do you know that god is responsible for what you attribute to him? If it is god, how do you know which ones? Faith to me seems like an excuse. You want to believe in something that you cannot prove. Instead of waiting to believe until there is sufficient evidence, you believe first and don't require any evidence at all. I doubt that you are like that in any other avenue besides your religion. Why don't you accept all religions, since its all a matter of faith - and not justification for your belief?
- Author
JMcFarland ~
Thanks for stopping by I appreciate any comments but could you clarify, I am afraid I am not getting your point. Faith for me is belief without seeing and yet by accepting and believing, I have been blessed time and time again by the knowledge that the Holy Spirit and Christ is in my everyday moments and help me in the process of life and its challenges. That is just me but I am open to discussion always and others thoughts.
Peace In Your Stages
Faith by definition is believing in something without evidence or justifications. That does not sound positive to me.
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