Of Matters of Faith

Of Matters of Faith

  By Emily M.

I have been for the longest time the biggest coward when it comes to motor bike rides. I could not stand the thought of being on one. It is scary. Here in Kenya they even have a name 'death traps' a whole hospital ward is dedicated to victims of motorbike accidents. Recently God put me in a position where I had no choice but to trust that He knows what he is doing. I recently read a book from rick warren The purpose driven life and in it he was talking about how God continuously tests our character.. He suggested that all of life is actually a test. God constantly watches your response to people, problems, success, conflict, illness, disappointment and even a motorbike ride. Did I mention that I had no choice in the matter? Well, for three days I have been on one. Going through bad weather - rain and mists and cold, through rough roads- sometimes we even had to walk, long distances to inaccessible places and all this time I imagine God is watching my reaction and enthusiasm to what I am doing. The real question is do I trust him enough to know he will take me through it all and take me out a better person? I have reached a point and understood that life is a test therefore there is nothing insignificant in my life. Everything that happens, happens for good for those who love God. It has taken my life to a whole new dimension. I am in the arms of someone who loves me....despite the close shaves with the reality of hitting a bush or sliding to the ground. In fact, at one point we actually run out of fuel and guess what God was faithful. I have come to realize that every day is an important day and every second a growth opportunity to deepen my character, to demonstrate love or to depend on God. I want who I am, what he has given me to praise him and glorify His holy name.

Well at this point God has indeed kept his promise, and has not allowed me to be tested beyond what I can handle. He has given me the strength to endure that motorbike for three days even if I am extremely tired at the end of it all and provided me with a way to enjoy the whole experience.

Of Matters of Faith By Emily M.

Of Matters of Faith 

By Emily M.

I have been for the longest time the biggest coward when it comes to motor bike rides. I could not stand the thought of being on one. It is scary. Here in Kenya they even have a name 'death traps' a whole hospital ward is dedicated to victims of motorbike accidents. Recently God put me in a position where I had no choice but to trust that He knows what he is doing. I recently read a book from rick warren The purpose driven life and in it he was talking about how God continuously tests our character.. He suggested that all of life is actually a test. God constantly watches your response to people, problems, success, conflict, illness, disappointment and even a motorbike ride. Did I mention that I had no choice in the matter? Well, for three days I have been on one. Going through bad weather - rain and mists and cold, through rough roads- sometimes we even had to walk, long distances to inaccessible places and all this time I imagine God is watching my reaction and enthusiasm to what I am doing. The real question is do I trust him enough to know he will take me through it all and take me out a better person? I have reached a point and understood that life is a test therefore there is nothing insignificant in my life. Everything that happens, happens for good for those who love God. It has taken my life to a whole new dimension. I am in the arms of someone who loves me....despite the close shaves with the reality of hitting a bush or sliding to the ground. In fact, at one point we actually run out of fuel and guess what God was faithful. I have come to realize that every day is an important day and every second a growth opportunity to deepen my character, to demonstrate love or to depend on God. I want who I am, what he has given me to praise him and glorify His holy name.

Well at this point God has indeed kept his promise, and has not allowed me to be tested beyond what I can handle. He has given me the strength to endure that motorbike for three days even if I am extremely tired at the end of it all and provided me with a way to enjoy the whole experience.

Living Today - By Samantha W.

Living Today

By Samantha W.

The year I graduated from high school held a note of melancholy. Everything I’d known was about to change. New choices and responsibilities closed in around me, and I felt overwhelmed by it all.

The day was on a Saturday when I decided to go through the bottom drawer of my dresser. It held all the little trinkets and mementos I’d kept over the years. Memories came to the surface as I pulled out each item. A smile touched my lips, though an underlying sadness lay hidden in the corners of my heart. That’s when my hand found my old friend.

“Hello, B, it’s been a long time.” I sat back on my heels, cradling the clear, airtight bag in my arms. Inside was the soft, green blanket, which shared many moments with me.

A pang of deep longing brought tears to my eyes, thinking of the security B had always given. May I tell you a secret? I wished I could be a little girl again. Back then, troubles were nothing more urgent than having to eat the green beans on my dinner plate. I never had to face those ever-pressing worries of an adult world, like jobs, finances, and responsibilities.

I know God’s Word says I shouldn’t worry, but it’s not easy to have the faith of a child. If something went wrong, I could go to Mama. Crawling up on her lap always made me feel better. Even though I’m still her “Baby,” I think she’d draw the line if I did it now. I have grown a bit over the years, after all. It wouldn’t be as comfortable for either of us. However, I miss letting Mama handle things. Having someone to be there for me always—to help make decisions, to take charge when something goes wrong— is one of the best reassurances.

Okay, yes, I’m aware God’s Word says He will never leave me or forsake me. When I am busy, I have a tendency to forget this promise. Time gets away with me.

My mom used to say, “Don’t try to grow up too fast. Enjoy being a kid while you can. It goes by quick.”

I took her words to heart and found out she was right. Kids grow up like weeds, and I was no exception. I went kicking and screaming into adulthood. (They were silent screams and kicks, but heartfelt nonetheless.)

I knew it could never be what it was. And maybe it wasn’t such a bad thing, for being a kid again would mean going backward in my relationships with God, my family, and friends. My experiences, some pleasant, some not so pleasant have shaped me into the person I am; taught me how to stand and grow.  I have become wiser, stronger, and more seasoned over time. Did I really want to lose this maturity?

No, I didn’t want to go back. I sighed and placed the blanket back in the drawer. Thinking in this light made me wish I were even more mature to face my present position. Impatient with situations, circumstances, and yes, even myself, I thought somewhere in the future everything would be hunky-dory. I wanted the results without doing the work.

Yet maybe it’s the steps along the journey of life, which make the trip memorable, God seemed to say.

I broke down and cried.

Life is a most precious gift God has given me. I didn’t want to waste it by wishing things are different. If I try to live in the past of yesterday or pine for the tomorrow, I miss the wonderful moment of today. Instead of wishing things were different, maybe I should make the most out of every opportunity.

I could gripe over things, which haven’t gone my way, or I could thank God for all His blessings. It’s easy to beat myself up for my many blunders. What would happen if I just learned from those mistakes? I believe it’s how I should live. As the Apostle Paul learned to be content whatever the circumstance, it was about time for me to learn contentment too.

Oceans, By Julianna O.

Oceans 

By Julianna O.

Most of you know the song “Oceans” by Hillsong United, right? If not, go listen to it on Youtube. Anyways, I wanted to talk about it because that song is one of my favorites, and it’s also one song where the Holy Spirit reached out to me.

“You call me out upon the waters, the great unknown where feet may fail.” This is one of the beginning lines of “Oceans.” This means, to me, that the Lord is calling you out of your comfort zone and into the world, to spread the good news about Jesus and what He did for you and me.

“Spirit lead me where my trust is without borders, let me walk upon the waters wherever you would call me.” That part of the song is from the bridge, and it’s a wonderful line of “Oceans,” because it basically is saying that the Holy Spirit will be with you wherever the Lord leads you.

Next time when you listen to “Oceans” by Hillsong United, just remember what I said, which is that the Lord wants you to spread the good news of Jesus, and that the Holy Spirit will be with you no matter where the Lord leads you. This is why one of my favorite songs is “Oceans.”

Life Song, By Meggie K.

Life Song

By Meggie K.

One Sunday, during worship time in church, I looked around the room and saw a little girl on the the other side of the room. She was maybe 7 years old and was standing next to her mom on her chair so she could see the song lyrics on the screen. But what was so special about this girl? 30% of our church is kids ages 10 and under so what was different about her? The answer: she was mimicking her mom and some other people in the church and had her hand in the air as she sang. I continued to watch her out of the corner of my eye as the beginning of the next song came on. Her face lit up and I saw her get all excited when the song was 10,000 reasons by Matt Redman. 

I could tell, even from where I was standing, that she was belting it out with all her heart and with her hand still raised. In that moment she reminded me of myself when I was her age. I always stood on the outside of the pew (next to the aisle between the 2 rows) so I could see. We went to a different church then, but I’ve always loved worship time at church and the songs they played were some of my favorites at the time. During worship I would close my eyes when I knew the words and raised my hand sometimes. I was so passionate about singing praises to the Lord and I sang so loud, that when I came in early on one of my favorite songs once, everybody heard me! 

Seeing that little girl also made me think. I thought: God touched my heart through song back then and still now. Is he speaking to her through singing too or some way else? I realized that God shows his love to each of us in different ways. Through songs of praise, the Bible, VBS, a church sermon, a pastor; he can even show his love to people through you. You can be a light in the dark and shine for Jesus.