I am writing this post today because I feel God really wants to teach me something about Faith this year. I have heard it clearly in my heart: '2013 is the year of faith for you'. I have a hard time with faith. For me, it is easy to have faith for a little while, but if I don't see what I am waiting for pretty soon, I get discouraged and start to doubt God even said it in the first place. Over the past few months, God has said two or three very direct things that will come to pass in my life. The problem is, I haven't seen them come to fruition yet, and I am wondering if I just imagined all of it. In those times of doubt, there is a small voice within me that says these truths:
His sheep know the voice of the Shepherd.
He makes all things work together for my good.
Peace is the presence of God.
Faith is believing God is present when all we hear is silence.
When I think about what God wants for me right now, I see the image of an old oak tree: tall and strong, with roots reaching deep into the earth. It is not moved by storms or drought, instead it reaches deeper with it's roots. It searches and finds the nourishment it needs. That image leads me back to this passage in Isaiah 61 (which is titled in my Bible "The Year of the Lord's Favor")
" The spirit of the Sovereign Lord is on me, because the Lord has anointed me to preach good news to the poor. He has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim freedom for the captives and release from darkness for the prisoners, to proclaim the year of the Lord's favor and the day of vengeance of our God, to comfort all who mourn, and provide for those who grieve in Zion- to bestow on them a crown of beauty instead of ashes, the oil of gladness instead of mourning, and a garment of praise instead of a spirit of despair. They will be called oaks of righteousness, a planting of the Lord for the display of his splendor." Isaiah 61:1-3
This passage reminds me that Jesus is the great and wise Counselor. He touches the broken hearts and brings healing, comfort, and joy. His gospel is of love and peace. I am an Oak of Righteousness, planted by God to display his splendor. Right now, my roots are not as deep as they should be, and when I see signs of a coming storm, I quake in fear. But this year I am proclaiming it as the year of the Lord's favor in my life. I will heed his words and instruction and reach deep for the well of the living water. I want to be able to stand against the injustice and evil in this world. I want to follow in the footsteps of Jesus. I want my life to be a tapestry of faith, woven with both joy and pain, with the threads of peace and perseverance, so when it is complete and my time is done, it will display the majesty and splendor of my God. It won't be easy, and I am very far from perfect (any of my family can surely attest to that). But nevertheless, I hear my Shepard loud and clear, and I will follow him, even though I do not know exactly what the path may hold for me. That is where faith comes in- knowing he is with me no matter how treacherous or empty the road may seem, and having peace through his presence.
"So don't throw away your confidence; it will be richly rewarded. You need to persevere so that when you have done the will of God, you will receive what he has promised. For in just a very little while, He who is coming will come and will not delay. But my righteous one will live by faith. And if he shrinks back, I will not be pleased with him. But we are not of those who shrink back and are destroyed, but of those who believe and are saved." Hebrews 10:35-39
So this will be my journey; my New Year's resolution of sorts. To put my trust in Him and let him grow me, mold me, and strengthen me- to have faith, even when I cannot see or understand, and to believe that what God has said to me will be so.
"Blessed is she who has believed that what the Lord has said to her will be accomplished!" Luke 1:45
Prayers are graciously appreciated in this, because, oh boy am I am worrier.
Oh, and a swearer. That needs to stop too. If I say a bad word around you, please call me on it.
Thanks! :)
