Faith in Action

Still Learning--Still Growing

“God loves us the way we are, but too much to leave us that way.”

Leighton Ford

I found the above quote in The Message of Malachi, written by Peter Adam in the Bible Speaks Today Series. It deeply moved me the moment I read it.

There are times when I feel I’m where I need to be in my faith journey. But after reading this quote by Leighton Ford, I realize how wrong I am. Measuring the quality of my faith, I usually look at time spent in prayer, meditation, and Bible Study, whether reading or writing. I study God’s Word to get to know Him better, and I write to share what I learn. I know now that quantity is not quality and knowing is not doing.

When I consider the attributes of the fruit of the Spirit—love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control—I realize I’m nowhere near where God wants me to be. While I know that God loves and accepts me, I also know that if I am to be an ambassador for Christ, I need to take a good, hard look at myself, my lifestyle, and my choices.

I recently had to stop reading and watching the news because I didn’t like the person I became. I was turning into a very angry person that I didn’t even recognize. There was no peace, no kindness, no joy, no self-control. I am so grateful that I was able to hear that still, small voice that told me to turn away from it. God is in control, and He always will be. Isaiah 41:10 reminds me of this: “So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand”.

Today, my faith journey isn’t one-dimensional. While I continue my daily practice of prayer, meditation, and study, I’m more grateful than ever that God loves me enough to help me grow as a Christian and share his love, mercy, forgiveness, and hope as His apprentice who is still always learning, still always growing.