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Walking in Faith

Wednesday, April 6, 2011
All of my life, when asked, "What is faith?", I have been able to quickly recite the definition of faith as we know it from Hebrews 11:1. "Faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen."  It always seemed like a vague answer.  How does that translate to my life?  We even use the wording, "I am walking in faith," in a particular area of our lives, which means, we are walking by faith and not by sight.  Even when we use it like that, we are still, usually,  "walking in faith" for something that pertains to the physical world, such as, a job opportunity, money needed for something, changing schools, or even doing something you think you are supposed to do.  These are all things that exist in this physical world.  In essence, then, many times, we can see it.  Through my recent experience of losing my beautiful, godly husband, I have experienced the truth in this verse in a dimension that I never have before.

My Bible has a footnote, which says, "Faith is established conviction concerning things unseen and settled expectation of future reward." It also says that we can use the word "realization" in place of substance....faith is the realization of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen. In the Amplified translation it says, "Now faith is the assurance(the confirmation, the title deed ) of the things we hope for, being the proof of things we do not see and the conviction of their reality - faith perceiving as real fact what is not revealed to the senses."  Since Michael's tragic death, my faith has boiled down to this essential truth.  I am now assured of the things I hope for; there is one, all powerful God, a savior in Jesus Christ, a heaven, a redemption plan, that Michael is experiencing this now,  all of the God's children will be gathered together in heaven one day, we win this battle here on earth, all things come together for good to those who love the Lord.  These are all things that I cannot see. My faith is now a conviction of their reality.  I am out there having to walk on water in a storm, with my hand reaching out to Jesus, knowing that, just because my eyes are on Him, I am not going to sink or drown.

This makes me think of a standard law of physics I learned during my days of being a gymnast.  When you are doing a tumbling pass, be it a back handspring, a back tuck, punch front, or a lay out with a full twist, your eyes and your head must turn towards the direction you intend to go in order to complete the pass without injury and to land it properly.  Your body will not go the correct direction without your eyes turned, in faith, where you want your body to go.  Walking on water in the middle of a storm or even on still waters requires you to "know that you know" what you believe.  I am having to perceive as real fact what is not being revealed to my senses.  I am reaching and looking to something I cannot see but I have to know is there.  I am not even reaching or looking right now for anything in the physical world.   I am just "walking in faith" that God's word is true, He is everything He says He is, and He is there surrounding me with His presence, whether I see Him or not.  I have a conviction of these realities.  Faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see.

4 comments:

Anonymous Says:
April 6, 2011 at 9:25 AM

Very well spoken. Faith keeps the wheels turning in this ever evolving process. That evolution, if you will, is something I have always believed never stops. We were spirit before we came into this journey, and it is there we return. As we return, I am convinced we never stop learning, growing, changing, growing more and more into God's image. The Word will NEVER pass away. Michael, all of us, are part of that NEVER - part of that ALWAYS.

Anonymous Says:
April 6, 2011 at 11:12 PM

Dear Jene, every day as I read your posts, I am awestruck at the way in which our Lord is ministering to you & then using you to minister to others. I am one of them. I also have walked a path of intense grief & disappointment this past year after losing my precious daddy to cancer on April 6, 2010...one year ago today. I adored him and I am not the same person I was before that day, as I know you are not either. You have given words to & created vivid pictures that mirror the deepest, most anguished emotions of those who know the sting of loss & all that accompanies it. Your words have been like therapy for me. I can say the same for my Mom, who lost her soulmate & sweetheart since high school, & my sister who are reading your blog as well. Many times the 3 of us have discussed your posts, what they have meant to us & how much we relate to them. Thank you for your courage, Thank you for giving voice to the realities of loss & grief, in addition to healing & the promise of a bright future still. As a wife who adores her husband, my heart aches for you and as a daughter who misses her wonderful daddy, I hurt for your children. As a fellow believer in God's goodness & plans of a bright future for you, I'm uplifted & inspired by your faith & courage in the face of unthinkable tragedy. Know that through your blog, you are doing a beautiful job of honoring Michael as well as your Heavenly Father. Much love to you & your children.

Anonymous Says:
April 7, 2011 at 4:49 AM

I still read your blog everyday. Thankyou for sharing your deepest feelings and thoughts from the Lord. You are truly being used to be a witness for his Kingdom! Keep it coming!

Anonymous Says:
April 7, 2011 at 6:00 AM

Lyrics to Stronger :

Hey, heard you were up all night
Thinking about how your world ain't right
And you wonder if things will ever get better
And you're asking why is it always raining on you
When all you want is just a little good news
Instead of standing there stuck out in the weather

Oh, don't hang your head
It's gonna end
God's right there
Even if it's hard to see Him
I promise you that He still cares

When the waves are taking you under
Hold on just a little bit longer
He knows that this is gonna make you stronger, stronger
The pain ain't gonna last forever
And things can only get better
Believe me
This is gonna make you stronger
Gonna make you stronger, stronger, stronger
Believe me, this is gonna make you ...

Try and do the best you can
Hold on and let Him hold your hand
And go on and fall into the arms of Jesus
Oh, lift your head it's gonna end
God's right there
Even when you just can't feel Him
I promise you that He still cares

'Cause if He started this work in your life
He will be faithful to complete it
If only you believe it
He knows how much it hurts
And I'm sure that He's gonna help you get through this

When the waves are taking you under
Hold on just a little bit longer
He knows that this is gonna make you stronger, stronger
The pain ain't gonna last forever
In time it's gonna get better
Believe me
This is gonna make you stronger
Hey, heard you were up all night
Thinking about how your world ain't right
And you wonder if things will ever get better
And you're asking why is it always raining on you
When all you want is just a little good news
Instead of standing there stuck out in the weather

Oh, don't hang your head
It's gonna end
God's right there
Even if it's hard to see Him
I promise you that He still cares

When the waves are taking you under
Hold on just a little bit longer
He knows that this is gonna make you stronger, stronger
The pain ain't gonna last forever
And things can only get better
Believe me
This is gonna make you stronger
Gonna make you stronger, stronger, stronger
Believe me, this is gonna make you ...

Try and do the best you can
Hold on and let Him hold your hand
And go on and fall into the arms of Jesus
Oh, lift your head it's gonna end
God's right there
Even when you just can't feel Him
I promise you that He still cares

'Cause if He started this work in your life
He will be faithful to complete it
If only you believe it
He knows how much it hurts
And I'm sure that He's gonna help you get through this

When the waves are taking you under
Hold on just a little bit longer
He knows that this is gonna make you stronger, stronger
The pain ain't gonna last forever
In time it's gonna get better
Believe me
This is gonna make you stronger

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