Longing for a Simple Faith in a Demanding World?
Longing for a Simple Faith in a Demanding World?
Are you longing for a simple faith in a demanding world?
Do you ever feel overwhelmed by all the things you “should do” to grow as a believer?
The podcasts your friends are listening to, and you aren’t, the latest Christian growth books you must read, the small groups and conferences you should attend, the ministries you ought to support. All good things but sometimes growing as a believer just feels too hard. It’s easy to become overwhelmed, defeated, and ashamed. It’s a bit like running on a treadmill that never stops. Go longer, go faster, be disciplined, try harder.
Growing in our faith can become bondage instead of freedom.
So, what do we do?
Become like a little child.
Jesus’s disciples asked, “Who is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven?” Imagine this conversation–each one hoping they’d be complimented as the greatest because they had done and were doing the most. It must have been laughable!
A tiny infant can’t do anything for himself or for others. Instead, he is completely dependent on his parents for his care. We, too, must become like a little child.
Perhaps today, we need to curl up in the arms of Jesus and rest. Imagine Him holding us, singing over us, and saying,” It’s all right. Just hold on to me. I’ve got you, and I won’t let go.” (Psalm 73:23, Zephaniah 3:17, emphasis mine)
Seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things will be added unto you. (Matthew 6:33 ESV)
Seeking His kingdom begins with seeking Him.
When I’m feeling overwhelmed with the demands of life, people to care for, tasks to complete, and hurting relationships, it helps me to remember this one first thing. He wants me simply to seek Him. He will take care of all the other stuff in His time and in His way. It’s not all up to me. When I curl up in the morning with my Bible and read a Psalm, I ask Him to reveal to me one character trait of God the Father, Jesus, or the Holy Spirit for me to focus on for this day. This helps to shift my focus from myself onto Him.
You are the One who lavishes love on me. (Ephesians 3:8)
You are the Lord who hears my voice and my pleas for mercy (Psalm 116:1)
You are the Father who establishes my steps. (Proverbs 16:9)
You are the God who is rich in mercy. (Ephesians 2:4-5)
Somehow, focusing on just one thing brings relief to my overwhelmed soul.
Come unto to me all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. (Matthew 11:28)
Many of us are “fixers.” Part of our DNA as a parent is to be a fixer–to fix a child’s needs, solve problems, make things right. Often, we fail. However, our ability to mess up is not nearly as great as God’s power to redeem. He is working while we are waiting. And He is not in a hurry.
When I was younger, I used to think that one day, I’d get to the place where I fully trusted God. However, now the older I get, the more aware I am that we’ll never “get there” this side of heaven. We must remove that pressure. God isn’t calling us to perfection in this life. (That’s for heaven when we will be made perfect.) Instead, He’s calling us to become more and more dependent upon Him. I don’t like this. I’d rather get it all together, to succeed in this faith journey–to have spiritual success. But this is just another form of pride.
“Be still and know that I am God.” (Psalm 46:10)
Recently I was overwhelmed by stress for multiple reasons. In reading this verse I cried out to the Lord I can’t even “still myself.” I need you to do that. And slowly as I released my concerns to Him, I sensed His “stilling” me. He continues to do this. It’s not “a one-and-done”. It’s a process.
The older I grow, the more dependent I become on Him. The older I grow, the more I realize I must become like a little child.
He loves it when we become like a child: weak, needy, and dependent. His mercy can handle us.
Here’s one of my favorite songs by Keith and Kristyn Getty: “His Mercy is More.”