Faith

I have a lot of things on my mind these days. Things have gotten pretty busy since I graduated. I thought that it would be a little simpler without the whole school thing but work life has problems of its own. I've also been studying for the CPA test so haven't really gotten away from the whole school either. All in all I've been pretty busy and tired from the whole affair.

I listened to a sermon on 1 Peter recently. These verses really stuck out to me.

" ⁶ In all this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while you may have had to suffer grief in all kinds of trials. ⁷ These have come so that the proven genuineness of your faith—of greater worth than gold, which perishes even though refined by fire—may result in praise, glory and honor when Jesus Christ is revealed."
1 Peter 1: 6-7

The sermon talked about how through the trials we experience in our life, whether small or large, serve to strengthen our faith and make it of greatest worth in obtaining our salvation. When we struggle with daily life and we turn to God, that strengthens our faith. When we choose to pray rather than worry. When we turn to God and ask Him for the impossible. We know that He will provide in the end according to His good pleasure and love for us.

"“Which of you, if your son asks for bread, will give him a stone? ¹⁰ Or if he asks for a fish, will give him a snake? ¹¹ If you, then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give good gifts to those who ask him!"
Matthew 7:9-11

From that perspective we will finally ease into the idea that God has blessed us abundantly with all that we need, and with the process of sanctification within us. These things that attract us and that call us may not be what is good for us. Though we think that they're the bread we need, they might end up being a stumbling stone on our path. Part of having faith in God is trusting Him in these situations that make you worry and which lead your desires elsewhere. To instead look to God and ask Him to show you what you need to learn and abide by. To work faithfully in His commands and precepts even if you might think you're better somewhere else. I'm learning that I've received an abundance of blessings from Him. And that though I might feel called elsewhere, that as long as He keeps me here He is working in me and refining my faith.

I've been listening to this audio book lately, 'Nothing to Envy.' It's written by a journalist who writes for the L.A. Times. She met with six North Korean defectors and through their stories painted a picture of what life is like in the North. The punishment for practicing Christian faith there is to be executed. It make me sad to hear about those events happening. It also made me appreciate that even the bare minimum here is still something from God.

We have been blessed into a great life here. Despite what small and simple worries we have, it is nothing compared to the ailments of some. God grows us everyday, and there is no trial that we cannot move past. It is also important to not forget these things that are happening in the world. We might or might not be called to do physical work there, but our prayers and actions should extend beyond our bubble here. The parallel I made with this book is that: There are still many people living in darkness. That haven't seen or heard or learned about God. Whether by stubborn choice or because they never had the opportunity. But God is always standing there with open arms. And when we see His greatness and His work in our lives, we see that He has always treated us as His children. Though we didn't know, we see that His blessings and love has always been in our lives. That when we turned to Him and said we want more, He gave us the Bread of Life.

For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.
Jeremiah 29:11