The meaning of the phrase, "what should my faith look like" is not what the act of believing should look like, but more so what should this life of choosing to follow Christ should look like.
Sometimes I find I am tormented by whether I am doing this Christian life well, is this the best I can do for God, should I be ministering more, creating more avenues in my life to bring the word to people. However, I should not even contemplate getting remuneration for it because that is bad with a capital B. As I wrote this, the Holy Spirit pulled my attention to this paragraph and made me realise the issue with my faith is me. I believe this salvation is about me, but it is more about God, I only factor into the equation when I worship Him. Needless to say, God cares about us and our concerns, however, scripture was not written about you it was written about God for your sustenance.
I found the most beautiful interpretation of this that I just have to share:
“What I’m trying to do here is get you to relax, not be so preoccupied with getting so you can respond to God’s giving. People who don’t know God and the way he works fuss over these things, but you know both God and how he works. Steep yourself in God-reality, God-initiative, God-provisions. You’ll find all your everyday human concerns will be met. Don’t be afraid of missing out. You’re my dearest friends! The Father wants to give you the very kingdom itself.”
Luke 12:29-32 MSG
This is what our Dad does, He takes care of us and looks out for us always. Your faith should look like just living a life where you make an effort to acknowledge God in all your ways. Now I understand this sounds very simplistic, but I fear it is true.
Your salvation was not earned and therefore it is not yours to maintain.
However, it is definitely yours to receive.
“Oh, that you would choose life, so that you and your descendants might live! You can make this choice by loving the Lord your God, obeying him, and committing yourself firmly to him. This is the key to your life. ”
Deuteronomy 30:19-20 NLT
The true potential of your faith rests in Jesus. Real potential can be found in Him. From a worldly perspective, potential has more to do with the output that comes from our works. The same cannot be said about our spiritual life, your potential has more to do with your heart and spirit than it does your works. Let's look at the parable of the sower for instance; the parable does not focus on how “well” the sower threw the seed, it focused on the state of the soil receiving it. After receiving it, the good soil produced a harvest. Such is our life meant to reflect, before any harvest comes from you, God will work on your heart that it might be pleasing and receptive to Him.
Your real potential is not determined by what you do for God or for the kingdom. That is a bonus. The meaning of your faith is just being able to receive the gift of a new life that we have received through Jesus. There is no big amazing pinnacle God expects you to reach in terms of opening some big church or doing some exuberant act.
Lately because of how much access and digitalised the general Christian walk has become, everybody is doing something for the kingdom it appears. Starting blogs, hosting events, creating apps, so much is being done to further the kingdom, and you begin to wonder if you are living out your potential in your faith. It is a normal reaction, but please remember, God redeemed you from death to Himself, not from death for you to redeem others, Jesus already did that. Your first priority should and will always have to be God. After all, scripture says:
“Jesus replied, “‘You must love the Lord your God with all your heart, all your soul, and all your mind.’”
Matthew 22:37 NLT
Granted, we are expected to continue to grow in our faith and not to remain in an infantile state, we are to grow in knowledge and love of God, not necessarily in status, it is important to remember this.
So the question we started with was are you living out the potential of your faith. To answer this question, I will ask you a question. Are you receiving the gift freely given to you by Jesus, or are you punishing yourself because you think you are not doing enough?
Prayer:
Lord, Thank you. If that is all we will ever be able to say in response to you, please receive our gratitude. How could we thank you enough for just being who you are. Help us to accept your nature and trust you, but please also help us to forgive ourselves for our nature.
Recommended media
You are not Far (Subjects)- Young Oceans, Alli O’Donnell
Made for Jesus- John Mark Pantana, Olivia Dyer
My All in Thee- Young Oceans, Ellie Holcomb
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