Have Faith

Matthew 9….have faith. Have faith in God. Have faith that He still heals today. Have faith that He is in control. I listned the other moring to a devotional on Matthew 9:18-38 and it was all about not only having faith and trusting God, but walking that out in our actions and words. Pray. Live confidently without worry and fear. Be bold, be brave, be strengthened by God’s grace, love, and control over your life. Great faith is seen all over the bible. But, I think one of my favorites is in this story.

…She touched the fringe of his robe, for she thought, “If I can just touch his robe, I will be healed.” Jesus turned around, and when he saw her he said, “Daughter be encouraged! Your faith has made you well.” Matthew 9:20-22

And that is walking out the faith; living boldly and trusting so deeply in all that God is capable of. As I walk this season of life, I am convicted to walk more boldly with my faith. To trust God more radically. One thing I am doing is being not only more purposeful with my prayers, but also more expectant. In meaning, I know God CAN do this, but also trusting that if He doesn’t, He has a reason for it. And finding peace in that, in Him being in control. I have been writing more prayers down recently. I have been sitting in silence more, with God, praying.

I wrote this journal entry in my “purse journal” the other morning after the gym. I had flipped open the journal and found some prayers that I wrote down awhile ago for the people in my life and I prayed them again. I thanked God for all of these people and all that He has done for them. My prayer time that morning, it was more intentional, more expectant on what God CAN do in these relationships, in the lives of my friends and family. And as the day played out, I got to see how good God is, how healing He is.

A family friend had been going into surgery for the cancer she has been battling. I did not know this at the time, but I had prayed for her, for healing, for peace and love in her life. As I was at the hospital visiting my grandme that evneing, I ran into this family. She had just gotten out of surgery and from what they believe, all of the visible cancer was GONE! She is not done on her road, she is not done with her battle, but in this moment, healing was happening. God answered the prayers of so many people that day. He is GOOD. He is faithful.

Another area of my life where I am trusting God more radically is taking action steps to potentially teach in Hawaii. This has been something on my heart for awhile. I spent a lot of time in prayer over this decision, battling with myself about whether this is God’s desire or mine. I ended in peace on feeling the nudge of God to pursue it with the end goal of whatever happens being to trust Him more.

I have always wanted to teach in a school system that so desperately needs good educators. Educators who have been taught well, who are dedicated to the greater good. I like to think of myself, in the most humble way I can, as one of these educators. Clearly I am not in it for the money, but I also am not in it for anything but the kids. I remember when I first decided to go into teaching that I decided on it because I saw it as an opportunity to just love kids. To show them the love that God has for them through my actions and words. And although there are these school systems all over the world, I landed on Hawaii.

Hawaii because it has been a desire of mine to live there, ever since I first stepped off the plane in 4th grade. That place in this world is some piece of heaven that God wanted me to see and experience. I fell in love with the culture, the way of life, and of course the ocean. But, I tell you what, vacationing and living there…two different things. And it takes a whole lot of radical faith to pursue something like this. I don’t know if I will make it there to teach. I don’t know if that is the exact plan God has for me. Sometimes I still wonder, “Is this my desire or His?” And that’s okay. That is what I still pray on, for guidance and wisodme, discernment and faith. But, what I do know is that in it all, I am trusting God. I am giving it all to Him. I am surrending my will, so that if it does all work out, then I know it is indeed, His will.

Trust God. Have Faith in who God says He is. And live BOLDLY. I write these verses down over and over again so that they become a part of me, a part of how I live.

But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own. Matthew 6:33-34

Love and blessings,