Why do you believe what you believe? Where does your personal faith come from? That is one of the questions we ask in the 8th session of “Chained No More” classes. We each have many, many family patterns and religious views are some of them, whether we were raised in a religious family or not,
For me, I was going to church before I was even born because my father was a pastor and my mom served with him. We were at every. single. service. We were among the first to arrive at the church and the last to leave, because that is just what a pastor’s family did back then. We lived on Dad’s meager salary and were taught that others came before us and to serve humbly and with purpose. Many pastor’s families in our society today live in million dollar homes with new cars, pretty clothes, etc. They have made a ministry on God’s abundance, lavish living and by practicing a prosperous life. Thousands of pastor’s families, however, live life on much less and their faith is not less strong than those living in mansions here on Earth.
When my siblings and I were growing up, we would go to Sunday school and DVBS and enter contests such as Bible drills, poster contests, Bible verse memorizations, etc. In competing in these contests, we also learned God’s Word at a young age and gave our lives to Him before middle school. I am grateful for this legacy.
Now, when I got into my 30’s, I began to question why I believed what I believed. Was it because my dad preached it every Sunday or because my mom taught it every week in Sunday School? Did I truly take my faith as my own relationship with Jesus? I walked away for awhile just before this and needed to seek the Lord as an adult and not my parent’s girl. I looked at other religions and churches and eventually decided that my faith was steady and I wanted to grow.
Where do your beliefs come from? Have you moved it past the knowledge you have of God to your heart and a growing relationship with Jesus? Take some time to explore and discover. If you are not sure, seek a strong, loving relationship with Him by getting to know Him by reading His Word. It is truth, you know. It isn’t just for everyone else. It is for YOU!
Do you realize that you will stand ALONE before the throne of God someday and will answer only for your life? You will not stand beside a parent, sibling, abuser, teacher, pastor or anyone else. Your faith are only between you and the Lord God, so isn’t it time we begin working on that or continue working on it?
“Then you will call upon Me and come and pray to Me, and I will listen to you. You will seek Me and find Me when you seek Me with ALL your heart.” Jeremiah 29:12-14a He’s waiting.