In my last post, I asked you ponder the question; “What does your faith mean to you and how do you practice your faith in your daily life?” Like many pastors, we are often very curious about the faith of those who are under our care as a parish pastor. Is their faith strong enough to handle this tough life and all it can throw at us? Is their faith vibrant enough that others who see them know they love God? Am I doing enough to teach them of their faith? Am I demonstrating with my own life the faith I profess and teach?
All these questions and many more challenges each of us as we navigate through the choppy waters of this life. One would think, for the most part, daily life doesn’t always “test” our faith nor cause us to wonder about our faith. We just move along each day methodically going through the motions of our lives and give little thought to our faith as we plod along. But when something of great importance shakes up our world, then things begin to change.
A tragedy, a diagnosis of serious illness, the death of a loved one, financial issues, relational issues, and a host of things that plague this existence come into play and what do we do? Most of the time, we panic! We deny, ignore, plead, cry and search for answers to fix the problem. And then we wonder why is all this happening?
I must confess that I have had moments like this. Wonder, confusion, and anger are the three emotions that I would describe hit me at times like that. It is in the midst of these things that the one thing we don’t want to hear, but should, is where is your faith? Doesn’t that just want to make you do something you would regret later?!
Proverbs 3:5-6 reminds us in times like these to “Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him and He will make straight your paths.” Make one want to kick the dirt at our feet and mumble something, but His Word never fails. So…have faith and trust that God has your back and has your best interests in mind.
I did say in my first post, I was going to tell you how I came about the decision to go into the seminary, but I think I will leave that for a later post. Sorry if you were expecting that revelation, but it will have to wait for now. But suffice it to say, it was one of those times I listened to God’s Word and not the words of my own path. Even though the path look (and was) hard, it was well worth the first step!
It was a call to lean on my faith and to trust God. What struggle or decision are you wrestling with? What is calling on your heart? Will you turn to God in prayer and in His Word and listen? Can you calm down the hurry in your life and be still? I encourage you to take a deep breath and in a quiet place, still your mind, wait and listen.
In His Grace,
Pastor Doug