This segment of Digging Deeper won’t go behind the scenes of Biblical words. Instead, I’ll share how God has shown me to dig deeper into my faith.
Have you ever hiked an overgrown, steep, rocky trail only to come out on top of a precipce and have your breath taken away by the glorious beauty before you? Do you recall glancing over your shoulder and saying, wow, it was rough going, but I made it? Somehow, knowing you’ve accomplished your goal through all the thorny brush and the turning of the ankles makes it even more amazing.
For the last few weeks I’ve worn a cloak of discontenment. Irritation has been choking me like a turtle neck in the middle of a heat-wave. I’ve clawed at the suffocation, stretched the fabric and found relief here and there, but then somehow the fabric would cinch even tighter around my throat.
I’ve sat on the edge of self-pity and wondered why? It seemed as soon as I surfaced the murky water for air I’d be dunked uder once again. And during this time of wallowing, knowing others’ lives have met with true devastation, I’ve carried with me a bag of guilt like a ton of bricks.
But God is Faithful!
As I scraped off my knees after stumbling on one of those annoying little sharp stones I realized I was far from emulating Job’s character. And he had it much worse off . To bring me comfort, hope, I delved into Job. Actually, I opened up my Bible directly to Chapter 29. Purely by accident, or Godincidence, as I was not intending on reading Job.
Whoever heard me spoke well of me, and those who saw me commended me, because I rescued the poor who cried out for help, and the fatherless who had none to assist him. The man who was dying blessed me; I made the widow’s heart sing. I put on righteousness as my clothing; justice was my robe and my turban. I was eyes to the blind and feet to the lame. I was a father to the needy; I took up the case of the stranger. Job 29:11-16
Now don’t get me wrong, I don’t long for commendations or pats on the back, but when I read this passage, my heart cried out. “YES! YES, Lord!” I didn’t want to feel the sting of dissension in my heart. I longed to be eyes for the blind and feet to the lame. But how? What could poor, little me do?
Through a series of event God showed me that I’d been living according to my circumstance and not to His plan. Because of this passage I cried out to my Father in Heaven and He answered!
Let me back up just a little. I firmly believe that God has created each of us with creative tendencies. Some people sew, scrapbook, woodwork, bead etc. For me I write. I also love creating blogs/websites, not that I have made one from scratch, but I do like taking themes and doing things with them.
Now check this out:
- A friend of mine announced that she was revamping her blog.
- This caused a stirring, but I didn’t want to create another one for me. I have difficulty posting on the ones I have.
- A critique partner asked for input on his website. One thing led to another and you could say between the two of us we are creating a workable website/blog.
- As it turns out, he’s blind. Can I brag on God right now?! He fulfilled a desire to be eyes for the blind in a way I never could have imagined.
But wait, it gets better. This wasn’t just about God fulfilling a desire. You see, during this whole process God was showing me something else. He was calling me to dig deeper into my faith.
Dave had asked me to post a scripture on the sidebar of his site. I knew the scripture but couldn’t remember the reference so I thought Google, right? As I typed the words into search engine, something caught my attention. I turned around and there on the television screen was the exact reference I needed. Coincidence? I don’t think so but I wasn’t hearing it for me, if you know what I mean.
The very next morning I was watching Joyce Meyers, and guess what? She quoted the exact same scripture. I’ve heard it said that when things come in threes you better pay close attention. I didn’t need another nudge to know that God was talking to me. I need to walk by faith, not by my circumstances. And I knew He wasn’t just talking to me about my life and all the chaotic mess surrounding it, He was talking about my writing.
I suppose you want to know the scripture. It’s one I’m sure I’ll never forget.
For we walk by faith, not by sight. 2 Corinthians 5:7
Thank you, Dave. I may be your eyes for a short time but you’ve opened my ears so I can hear. And, God, WOW! Just, WOW!
One response to “Digging Deeper Into Faith”
Christina, blessings usually go two ways. If you’ve been blessed through assisting me, I’ve certainly been doubly blessed as the recipient of your assistance. It’s always encouraging to see how God works through the every-day details of our crazy lives, highlighting aspects of things we don’t always recognize.
Thank you so much, Christina!