Sharing your Faith

Recently, at Bible study, my pastor was stressing to us how important it is for us to have our own personal faith story and to actually share it.  While I thought/think that is what I do… it’s something that has been really nudging my spirit.  He explained to us that sometimes it takes more than just telling someone about Jesus. In order for them to truly see Him, they need to see and hear what He has done for us…both in good and bad times. 

I think in order to be able to do this, two things need to happen.  First, we must know and understand our own faith story; what is it that has happened in our life that has caused our faith to be so strong.  And, second it requires us to be transparent.  Now, trust me when I tell you that I truly understand how scary and even hard this can be.  Sometimes we fear rejection, looking like we’re crazy and even not representing Him as we think we should.  However, even more than all of that, I am really beginning to understand how seriously important it is! 

1 Peter 3:15 (TLB) ¹⁵ Quietly trust yourself to Christ your Lord, and if anybody asks why you believe as you do, be ready to tell him, and do it in a gentle and respectful way.

It means so much more to someone if instead of talking “at” them and telling them what they need to do, you will share your story.  Share with them what He has done for you and how He has carried you.  The prayers you’ve sent up and the way He has answered them can truly soften a harden heart and allow it to open up to Christ.  Explain to them that He didn’t always just take the pain away, but that He comforted you along your journey.  It won’t always sound great and rosy or even feel good to you…but, it’s your story and God will work through you to ministry what is needed to help that other person. 

James 5:16 (AMP) ¹⁶ Confess to one another therefore your faults (your slips, your false steps, your offenses, your sins) and pray [also] for one another, that you may be healed and restored [to a spiritual tone of mind and heart]. The earnest (heartfelt, continued) prayer of a righteous man makes tremendous power available [dynamic in its working].

I’m not suggestion that we share our whole life’s story and its details with everyone, but to be open about our struggles is what God calls us to be.  If I see you living this life with no problem or trials and you’re telling me about someone who can help me, who is living a life full of problems, then how am I supposed to believe you.  In my eyes…I see someone who hasn’t a care in the world.  I’m thinking to myself…how can they help me...how can their God help me??? 

When we speak and live with transparency we are helping others to see us as human.  We’re showing others that we don’t claim to be all holy or knowing, but that we too experience pain, trials and disappointments.  By being open and honest about our life we’re making ourselves approachable and allowing our testimony to be God’s vehicle to ease the pain and help someone else’s need. 

            Allowing others to see our own life struggles, joys and pains isn’t always comfortable or easy to do, but it’s our testimonies that truly help the heart of the people.  It’s through our sincere words and heartfelt intentions that others can see just how good God is and that in Him; they too can have a peace and make it through anything.    

Do what you can; He’ll take care of the rest

You ever think or feel like you have to change something before you can go on?  Or, like you don’t have the right to speak on something or be positive about another because of certain things that may be going on in your life?  Almost like it would make you look like a hypocrite to even look happy or think positively with some of the things going on around you!?!  Well, if I’m being honest…I think I’ve come to the realization that this is one of the things that keeps me from stepping out, not just for myself…but, most importantly for God. 

There are certain things in our lives that we, through our own strength or maneuvering, will never be able to change; yet we struggle to change them anyway.  We spend so much time trying this and that to fix things and sometimes it may even work…but, more often times than not it’s a temporary fix and a whole lot of stress, aggravation and not to mention heartache.

Galatians 6:9 (MSG) ^9-10 So let’s not allow ourselves to get fatigued doing good. At the right time we will harvest a good crop if we don’t give up, or quit. Right now, therefore, every time we get the chance, let us work for the benefit of all, starting with the people closest to us in the community of faith.

I was reading the other day and it caused me to realize that while everything may not be as it should right now…this does not exempt me from doing what God has placed me here to do.  He’s God…He already knows that I can’t take care of or fix certain things, but that doesn’t mean I can’t continue to pray about them.  It also doesn’t mean that He hasn’t placed jobs/things/assignments before me that I can take care of.  He’s simply waiting on me to walk forward in His plan for my life and leave to Him what He does best; to take care of the rest.

This is where my trust in Him comes in, because honestly…when I don’t let go and let Him; I’m showing that I don’t really trust Him.  I’ll be the first to say that this is not an easy thing to do.  Even when I am able to give something to Him and try to press on…I sometimes find myself picking it back up and trying to fix it, yet again.  Only to pick up frustration and stress…yet again too!  But, through prayer and continued seeking of His will I am learning to let Him have His way; and while I’m waiting on Him to transform the situation I am also learning to walk out what He has called me to do. 

I’m very thankful for this eye opening moment and for realizing that I have work to do regardless of my current situation, how it may make me feel or even what people think of me.  I pray that as I grow in Christ I will learn to recognize more readily when I am attempting to fix things myself and getting stuck; and instead let God have His way.  I mean let’s face it; His way is always the best anyway ;-)

Hebrews 10:36 (NLV) ³⁶ You must be willing to wait without giving up. After you have done what God wants you to do, God will give you what He promised you.