Why do I sometimes complicate my faith?
I can get caught up in my expectations, my effort, my prayers, and my obedience.
I can get so focused on making sure I don’t miss one thing from God, that my faith becomes more about what I’m doing than about what He’s doing. What is up with that??
I want to obey Him perfectly, but I find imperfect happens more often than perfect.
I desire to listen to God, but sometimes my life is too loud for me to hear Him.
I often feel my effort is lacking, even though I try so hard.
And my prayers? I don’t pray as eloquent as some, as often as some, as big as some.
When I make my faith about me, it’s no wonder it can become complicated.
Maybe you understand this. We don’t set out to make our faith about us, and actually, we know better. But sometimes it just happens. Sometimes we need to return to the basics and simply put our faith back to where it belongs.
Could it be time to uncomplicate our faith?
Our faith isn’t about us. It’s all about Jesus.
(It’s a good time for a group sigh of relief.)
We can let go of the striving, the stress of doing it perfectly, the do-this-and-don’t-do-that mentality, the shoulds and should nots, and the thinking our faith needs to be some big gesture. Let us return to the simple faith of a child.
“I’m telling you, once and for all, that unless you return to square one and start over like children, you’re not even going to get a look at the kingdom, let alone get in. Whoever becomes simple and elemental again, like this child, will rank high in God’s kingdom.” Matthew 18:3-4 MSG
Simple, uncomplicated faith happens when God asks us to follow, and we say yes. It’s found when we don’t where He’s leading us, but we go with Him anyway.
I will teach you and tell you the way to go and how to get there; I will give you good counsel, and I will watch over you. Psalm 32:8 Voice
God desires our yes. Even if it’s a whispered yes.
When He calls us to follow Him, a whispered yes is sufficient.
When He prompts us to open our mouths for Him, a whispered yes is acceptable.
When He guides us in a different direction, a whispered yes adequate.
When God nudges us to put our faith in His Son, Jesus, a whispered yes is more than enough.
A whispered yes simplifies our faith.
A whispered yes uncomplicates our faith.
Friend, where is God leading you today? Is He asking you to step beyond what you know into something new? Is He prompting you to make a change, to go deeper, to trust, to follow?
May you and I simply whisper yes.
Much love,
Julie
What joy it is to link up with Suzie Eller and friends for #livefreeThursday!
Hey lady! Loved this! Child-like faith indeed. That’s what speaks to me. Sometimes my disposition as a planner and organizer Gets. In. The. Way! I’m grateful to have met you at the retreat. I wish we’d had more opportunity to connect. Blessings on you today! (Stopping over from #livefree.)
I’m with you! The planner in me gets in the way too. I loved meeting you as well, and hope we can stay in touch online and get to know each other better! Thank you for sharing, friend!
“I can get so focused on making sure I don’t miss one thing from God, that my faith becomes more about what I’m doing than about what He’s doing.” Right there with you, Sister! Thank you for this.
I can be so guilty of this, Julie! Glad we can uncomplicate our faith together! Blessings, sweet friend!
Breathing that sigh of relief with you, Julie! Thank you for these beautiful, encouraging words today! #livefreeThursday
Hey, girl! Glad we can breathe that sigh of relief together! Thank you for being here and for your continued support. You’re a blessing!
I want to do it ALL “perfectly” and yes the result is more imperfect than perfect. I need to write out “Our faith isn’t about us. It’s about Jesus” and carry it with me everywhere I go. Thank you for the reminder Julie, Cindy
Good idea, Cindy. I should write it out too, and put it everywhere I go. Thank you for stopping by and sharing! Have a blessed day.