Many people want to trust God but many people fear the God they want to trust in.
I have been a christian for many years now. Although I still struggle in my every day walk, I am very thankful for my church that they taught me the basics of having faith and of increasing one's faith.
One lesson I never forgot was the OBJECT OF YOUR FAITH. It's not the strength of your faith, but the object of your faith. The object of your faith is very important because this will either make you or break you. The object of your faith must be credible and sturdy. Not only should the object of your faith withstand the test of time, but the object of your faith should not be prone to change like the changing of the season. The object of your faith also has nothing to do with your feelings.
Imagine this skinny guy skating on top of a frozen lake. In his mind, he trusts that the ice will carry his weight. His faith on the ice is very strong. He is confident he will not fall. He steps on the ice. It cracks. He falls into the icy lake.
Now imagine this big gigantic guy who steps on the lake. The temperature has been negative for weeks and the ice is thick and frozen solid. Yet he is afraid that the ice will not hold his weight. His confidence on the ice was weak. But the ice did not crack. It held his weight in spite of his feelings towards the object of his faith.
Many of us think the strength of our faith is the one that will carry us through in times of trouble. If our faith is strong, then we can make it. But if our faith is weak, then we will fail. The truth of the matter is, it is the credibility and reliability of the object of our faith that carries us through. Even if we had the strongest of faith but the object of our faith is not reliable, chances are, we will be disappointed and will fall away. But if God is the object of your faith, even though you falter, He will continue to remain reliable and credible. Not because of who you are, but because of who He is. He does not change His mind. He is not fickle. Numbers 23:19-20 says "God is not human that He should lie, not a human being, that He should change his mind. Does He speak and then not act? Does He promise and not fulfill? " The more we know God through prayer and the reading of His word, the more we realize He is someone you can cast your burdens upon. He is true to His word. He is credible and reliable.
Many times in my life, I have often questioned and complained when things don't go my way. I don't ask God, "why me". I ask God "why not me?" Why not the tickets I wanted for a particular concert? Why not this guy I have been praying for for some time? Why not a vacation to this place I've been dreaming of? Why not this promotion or increase that I have been hoping for? Why why why?
However, the Holy Spirit corrects me by reminding me that the object of my faith is credible. That God loves me and will never do anything to harm me. "For I know the plans I have for you, "declares the Lord, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plants to give you hope and a future." - Jeremiah 29:11
I remember years ago, I was waiting for this promotion "due to me" since I was the next person in line for the position. So imagine my surprise when I found out my managers opened the position to outsiders instead of promoting me! I bawled my eyes out. I was so hurt. That was the time I was starting to attend bible studies. I was starting to have a relationship with the Person of my faith. God is credible. God is reliable. When God closes doors, He opens windows. I processed my hurt into curiosity. I prayed, "Okay God. What are you trying to say? Where do you want me to go?"
Ask and you shall receive. Seek and you shall find. Knock and a door will be answered. A few years after, I resigned from that company and applied as a full time church worker in the same christian church that was holding the bible studies. That was almost 15 years ago. I have been working under my church for 11 years already and I couldn't be any happier! To be honest, I felt out of place working for a company. God knew me best and He knew where I would flourish. God gave me a purpose. I was not to be a manager but to be a church worker in service for Him for His glory.
For those who are struggling with the object of your faith, may this prayer help you in your journey.
Dear Lord,
Forgive me when I have doubts to who you are, when I question your goodness because of the things going on around me. Help me to know you more, for me to understand and accept your ways. I want to trust the object of my faith. You said in Jeremiah 29:13 that I will seek you and will find you if I seek you with all of my heart. Help me to know and trust you more. In Jesus' name. Amen.
