2:225 – Owning Your Path

#faithbites #faithjourney owning

I’ve been thinking a lot lately about what makes me happy and what my passion is. I know many things make me happy but to say what my passion is, that’s harder. While I get invested in things, to say I’m passionate could be a stretch. After soul searching, I came to the realization that true happiness comes from when you own something.

At work, for instance, I help a lot of people on their efforts. While I get joy out of it, I don’t own the work of the product. Same thing in my role of faculty development. I help others to teach but don’t usually teach myself. It goes back to something, my dad used to tell me. He said I won’t be a champion but I can coach a champion. I’m still wrestling with what that means today. What does it mean to own something.

Faith is similar. Are we walking down a path that others have paid for us or are we owning our faith journey? Keep in mind, we aren’t talking about religion, but faith.

Who’s journey is it?

Scripture

• They said to the woman, “It is no longer because of what you said that we believe, for we have heard for ourselves, and we know that this is indeed the Savior of the world.” – John 4:42 (ESV)
• Consequently, faith comes from hearing the message, and the message is heard through the word about Christ. – Romans 10:17
• The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases;his mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is your faithfulness. – Lamentations 3:22-23

Reflection

How do we know what to believe and how do we own it? First, we know that faith comes from hearing His Word, the word about Christ. Without that backing it’s hard to know Truth. As we see in John, belief and ownership of faith changed from those who knew Christ personally to those who hears about him and believe.

That’s a very big jump to believe because you know Truth rather than seeing. That is the faith that the Holy Spirit builds in you.

When we have own our faith, we will make misteps. We will come into conflict with doctrine and interpretation. This is normal and natural. The beauty, as we see in Lamentations, is God’s mercy renews daily. That means we are given strength and forgiven daily.

There are so many things in all of our lives that we don’t control or don’t own. Our faith is one of them. Jesus Christ is our personal God, taught to us through His Word, our forgiver, and our salvation. Owning this is a great responsibility and honor.

Charge

Do you want to take ownership of your faith? If so, what does that mean to you? This is a lifetime journey that starts with one step. How do you define your faith and how do you want to own it. There are many Bible study plans that can help, but it’s a personal journey. For me, it was accepting Jesus, praying continually, and trying to get my head out of the way of God’s plan. For you, it will be different.

Prayer

Lord Jesus, thank you for your Word and gift of faith. Help us to be stewards of the faith for the next generation while you help us own our faith. Give us ears to hear your voice, eyes to read your words, hearts to understand the truth, and hands to help others in their journey. Lord, while we may make mistakes, we know your mercy is renewed and eternal. Let our faith journey all point to you. In your name, Amen.