The Average Jane Journal #2 - Child Like Faith

CHILD LIKE FAITH

Do you desire child like faith? Does it ever feel unattainable? I have to admit, it has to me. But I saw this neat comparison that really opened my eyes.

Dependent children do not worry about meals, clothing, and shelter. They assume, and they have the right to, that all will be provided by their parents. (Billy Graham-The Secret of Happiness)

Galatians 3:26 says “For ye are all children of God by faith in Christ Jesus”. So as God’s children, we are His dependents. So use the statement above, which was talking about our earthly parent, and believe the same thing about our Heavenly father. (see Psalm 103:13)

Do you remember the time as a child where you just believed your parents were going to provide everything you needed, that total dependence on them? You belonged to them so they took care of you. You were provided for, but you were also disciplined and made to learn lessons because of a wrong doing. If we accept this behavior as normal for our earthly parent, why do we not accept it from God, who is the greatest provider of all? (Psalm 89:8)

I’m not saying God is going to give you everything you desire or provide a problem free life, just like your parents didn’t. Your parent cheered for you, hurt for you, and wanted the best for you even through discipline. We expect this of earthly parents. God is always there to do the same, but with greater wisdom and a love for us that is immeasurable.

When I first read the statement above it made me wonder at what age I lost that innocence of just assuming my parents could provide everything I needed. What age did I realize that they could have hardships in life? I tried to remember how far back I have known what “worry” is. I have great skill in worry, I could probably win many contests if the skill to have was worry. J This is something I have always struggled with, and worry’s best friend doubt.

But God has been showing me lately that no matter what this “sinful, fallen world” brings me; whether it is by my doing or not-He is there. He will not leave me, just like a parent does not leave their child. God is my father, there for the good times and the bad, and will love me the same through it all. I’m still a child, no matter my age, a child of God through faith in Jesus Christ. He desires for me to lean on Him. Again He does not promise a problem free life. He can take our problems away or give us the strength to endure them. The key is the peace(rest) we can find in Him by total dependence. (Philippians 4:6-7; Luke 12:22-31)

How can we develop better child like faith?

** cover yourself in God’s Word – see Romans 10:17
**Act on God’s Word – don’t just believe IN it, but believe ON it.
Hebrews 11:1


Side Note-The only problem I had writing about this subject is the fact that not everyone has had a loving, safe childhood. If you are one of those people, I am very sorry. It was not my intention to bring up any bad memories, or to put any negative feelings towards God. If you are someone that cannot use the comparison of a providing and loving earthly parent, just know that God is ALL that you did not have and seek Him.

Love to all,
Average Jane

The Average Jane Journal #1 - What Do You Mourn?

“Blessed are they that mourn, for they shall be comforted.”
Matthew 5:4

I have heard this verse for as long as I can remember and always just thought it to be talking about mourning over a loved one that has passed away. But recently God showed me how there are lots of things we can mourn over.

The word mourn means “ to feel deep sorrow, to show great concern, or to deplore some existing wrong”. So to apply that to our Christian walk we should be sensitive, sympathetic, tenderhearted, and alert to the needs of others.

God has started showing me that it’s ok to mourn over things and is opening my eyes to things that I should be mourning over. We have always heard that whatever breaks God’s heart should break our hearts-and as we know there are many things in this world that break God’s heart.
The verse tells us we will be blessed(happy). I know for me, I question sometimes how it is possible to be both sad and “blessed” at the same time. That is my human way of thinking and I have to look at it in a different way.

One definition I read of blessed is “happy, to be envied, and spiritually prosperous-with life joy and satisfaction in God’s favor and salvation, regardless of outward conditions.” That sounds like a pretty great way to live, huh? The only way I can be blessed has to do with my relationship with God-that is what makes it possible to be both sad and happy at the same time. Even though the world is not right, our joy should come from the Lord and knowing that one day all the sorrows will be no more.

God is showing me that I need not ignore the things that give me sorrow. Instead I need to turn to Him with the things that break my heart, cover the issue with prayer and know that God sees it too. I have really been mourning over the decay of our country lately. It breaks my heart to see how my country wants to take God out of everything. Do you ever think back to the Old Testament and remember how God warned the Israelites time and again not to turn their backs on Him? Does that sound familiar to you with things going on today? There are other things I mourn, but summing it up in one category “taking God out” is quicker than listing them all.
The awesome part of this verse is the promise of God’s comfort. A comparison that comes to mind is this-picture your child seeing another child being neglected or picked on. Your child stands up for and/or comforts that hurt child. As a parent you comfort your child when they share with you the pain they felt for the hurt child; but you are also proud of them and their heart that they recognized a wrong doing. That’s how I picture God seeing us when we mourn over things that break his heart also. God will be there to comfort us just like you would comfort your own child.

So in conclusion, what do you mourn? Is it your country, salvation of a loved one, divorce, death of a loved one? Stay strong in the Lord and feel His comfort. Is God putting something on your heart to be “broken” about and cover it in prayer?