January 25, 2021

About a year ago, I made a commitment to start reading the Bible and a devotion every day. I thought that if I just started reading God’s word regularly, I would gain a crystal clear view of what God’s plan was for me. Believe it or not, at the very beginning, I felt that I was only growing farther away from God. It seemed that the harder I tried to grow my faith, the more hopeless I became. When I tried to take a step toward Jesus, negative influences from my friends, coworkers, and the world around me would fill my mind, and I would end up two steps backward.

I wondered if I was the only one to feel this way. I reached out to a couple of strong Christians in my life and asked them if this had ever happened to them: trying to strengthen your faith, and ending up with heavier shoulders and a sense of doubt. They all said yes!

They also shared with me the realization that when you push through that initial phase of doubt and uncertainty, there is a period of rapid growth to follow! A year later, I couldn’t agree more. I can’t help but think that when we’re actively trying to get closer to God, or we have to make big decisions about our faith journey, the devil tries to stop us. We become unsure, maybe even embarrassed or uncomfortable about the whole thing. But these are just roadblocks! Once we persevere and tear down the wall to the other side, our perspective totally shifts.

Just like pastor taught this past Sunday: when we have passion for the Lord, people will come at us with discouragement, hate, lies, and other roadblocks, and we have to persevere. Pushing these obstacles out of our way makes room for the most important bond we’ll ever share - our relationship with Jesus and our acceptance of Him as our one and only savior.

“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