Upside Down

Then Christ will make his home in your hearts as you trust in him. Your roots will grow down into God’s love and keep you strong. And may you have the power to understand, as all God’s people should, how wide, how long, how high, and how deep his love is. Ephesians 3:17-18 (NLT)

I completed the Believing God study this week with a sense of gratitude for all that I have learned yet with a letdown feeling that it is over. I don't remember a time of study where I have been more stretched. We were challenged to look at our belief systems to determine what is true and to hold fast to those, letting others go. I think the most important thing that I learned was that faith is active – I'm believing God –not I believe in God. I learned from the illustration of our father, Abraham, who believed God in an impossible situation. It was faith that made the difference and that was what God was looking for and rewarded. Reading Romans 4 for twenty times made that fact crystal clear. I know I can pray specifically knowing that He answers me even if it is not in MY time frame; I can already thank Him for what He is going to do. We looked at the promises that are outlined in the shield of faith, giving us tools to fight the evil forces in our world. My whole mind-set was turned upside down. Our final assignment was to draw and place the rocks of remembrance of our life on a timeline so that we could see how God had been directing us – even when we were unaware of His footsteps. This was not an easy task for two reasons; some things happened a long time ago and it was hard to remember. The other was I had to face how my wrong choices affected my life. But the best part was seeing God's mercy and love even when I wanted my own way. He was there. He was patient. He nudged me in the right way. I can only say thank you, LORD! I'm believing God.