What would it take for God to look at my life right now and say “Well done, good and faithful daughter! I am so proud of you.”
Could He say that?
In Jesus Christ, we are promised fulfillment. Real success is exactly that: complete satisfaction, fulfillment, soul rest. He also states in Matthew 11:30 ‘My yoke is easy and my burden is light.’
Is this reality right now? We understand that circumstances have very little to do with our feelings of fulfillment, soul-rest and satisfaction. These things flow from our soul. The inner man, which is who we are as spiritual beings. These feelings come from that place. In spite of circumstances.
When I am out of alignment as to the purpose of my existence, I am unable to experience fulfillment.
In what areas am I to be faithful in, right now? (Understand that our tasks of faithfulness may change in various seasons of life)
Currently for me, I am to be faithful in:
– Gym workouts
– Writing Greg (cousin) monthly
– Blog
– Emailing family
– Guiding children
– Teaching Emily & Izzy to read this year / School routine
– WE classes
– Investing in ESC bible study group
– Initiate open and affirming conversations with Aaliyah frequently
– Intentionally blessing my husband
Romans 4 and Hebrews 11 portray Abraham as a man of unwavering faith. Imagine Abraham at the end of his life and God says “That’s my son! His faith never wavered. I’m so proud of him! Well done, Abraham!”
But we know Abraham’s faith wavered. Remember Ishmael? What about the lies and deceit Abraham used to protect his own life when he went to Egypt? That certainly seems like wavering faith to me.
Yet God does not hold our past failures against us. He doesn’t have a scale of good deeds vs bad deeds. You could live a life of crime, yet in the last few moments of life understand and receive the redemption Jesus offers and be saved. Remember the thief who was crucified alongside Jesus? That seed of faith outweighs the past.
I don’t use this example of the thief to condone a life of crime. Rather, that we can understand the power of faith. It is through faith that we are saved. Not good works! God doesn’t weigh our deeds at the end of life. He looks for one thing. Only one. Faith. Does my life’s last hurrah shout “Faithful”?
For by grace you have been saved through faith. This is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast.
Ephesians 2:8-9
Since we are justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ.
Romans 5:1
For further reading on what faith exactly is, go and read James 2. This passage gives such a clear picture of faith – what it is and how it acts.
May your life be one that daily shouts an anthem of “Faithful” to our Heavenly Father.
May we learn to walk through life from a place of soul-rest.
This, my friend, is faith.