Embarking on the Journey of Faith

“Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight.” – Proverbs 3:5-6 (NIV)add verse here

Devotional:

For most of my life, I just floated on the surface. I had no religious instruction as a kid and just followed in the footsteps of my uncommitted Christian family. As a child, I lived through the dysfunction of my parents and soon realised a simple fact. We model marriage to our children.

I replicated their journey almost perfectly, with one disaster piling upon the next. I remember having a desire to know more, but life kept me from a sustained and deeper search.

But that life caught up with me to the point I didn’t want to live anymore. This is when God sets his greatest plans forth. He brought me back from the brink with mercy and grace, and I wanted more.

The journey of faith is not always smooth sailing. There will be storms that rage around us, threatening to engulf us in doubt and fear. There will be moments when the winds of uncertainty buffet our sails, and we question the course we have set. But it is precisely in these moments of trial that our faith is strengthened, for it is then that we learn to rely wholly on the One who calms the storm and steers us safely to shore.

Like any journey, our faith journey requires preparation. We must provision ourselves with prayer, study of Scripture, and fellowship with fellow travellers. These are the tools that will sustain us through the long stretches of solitude and doubt, and the anchor that will hold us steady when the waves of adversity threaten to overwhelm us.

But perhaps the most important preparation we can make is to surrender our will to God’s. Just as a sailor must trust the expertise of the captain to guide the ship, so too must we trust in God’s perfect wisdom and guidance to lead us along the path of righteousness. This means letting go of our own desires and ambitions and instead seeking first the kingdom of God and His righteousness.

As we set out on our faith journey, let us do so with courage and conviction, knowing that we do not travel alone. The same God who parted the Red Sea, who walked on water, and who conquered death itself goes before us, leading the way and lighting our path. So let us cast off the lines that bind us to the shore, and set sail into the boundless ocean of God’s love and grace.

My journey has been fraught with dead ends and backslides, but all I have to do is remember where I left God and I go right back. He is always there. 

May we journey with faith as our compass, hope as our anchor, and love as our guiding star. And may we never lose sight of the ultimate destination: the eternal shores of heaven, where we will find rest for our souls and communion with our Creator forevermore.

In Jesus Name

Amen.

Reflection:

• What steps can you take today to prepare yourself for the journey of faith?
• In what areas of your life do you struggle to surrender to God’s will?
• How can you cultivate a deeper trust in God’s guidance as you navigate the uncertainties of life?