The Battle of Living by Faith
And then there’s real life. The life that is behind all that. The one that has character and flaws and wonders. The one that’s still there.
It’s courageous to be real with people about your weaknesses. To see yourself exposed and walk in that feeling and to keep moving your feet. To keep your head up and your heart open. Because living by faith doesn’t mean every door opens or every person agrees. It can mean trusting God during periods of silence. Or seeking Him regardless of a culture that teaches He doesn’t matter.
To get rejected but keep trying.
To believe in Jesus when others laugh.
To feels so overwhelmed that you break.
To have made mighty mistakes but move on with integrity and hope.
Because living by faith means many things. It can mean feeling the burn of embarrassment on your cheeks while walking away from a fight. It can mean feeling confused and admitting it, relying on God to reveal truth and straighten paths in His time.
Feeling successful some weeks and like a shipwreck others.
And feeling just a little afraid that others will shake their heads silently and judge…
And right there is the fight. The battle of living by faith.
The battle we all know; the one that tells you to stay down. But you hear a voice whispering in your ear, “Get up and walk.”
You know it’s the right voice, but nothing in this world justifies it. You may lose if you get up and walk.
But you choose to do it. You decide at that moment to live. To rise to the occasion, to use the breath God put in your lungs to continue.
And suddenly you realize that being full of yourself isn’t really you at all. And you turn your head. Turn your eyes.
You ask the Lord.
More of you, Lord. Please. More of you.
And that’s when it all changes. Because suddenly you realize there’s much to do. There’s much to be in Him.
“I have been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me. And the life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.” (Galatians 2:20)
Because when we decide to live in faith things get messy. And beautiful.
And finally we know what it means to have beauty from ashes. Suddenly we realize that all the messed up crazy that was our past and at times can be our present is redeemed and bled for and paid for.
Thank you Lord Jesus.
This time is too short. Let us live, really live, for you.
Blessed is the man who remains steadfast under trial, for when he has stood the test he will receive the crown of life, which God has promised to those who love him.” (James 1:12)