Through involvement in the church at a young age, I became excited about Jesus and publicly professed him at age 9. I quickly realized that I would need to be an example to those around me. I spent the first 20 or so years of my life being taught facts about Christianity. I attended Christian elementary school, high school, and attended a Bible College, which I count all as amazing privileges. However, part of my way through College it became evident to me that I needed to start asking some really hard, really elementary questions about my faith.
I remember feeling embarrassed that I was asking these questions. I felt as if, “I should already know this stuff, I’ve been taught it my entire life!” But that was just it—I was taught the right answers, but I wasn’t always sure why I believed them.
I began asking and facing some of the toughest questions in my spiritual journey. “God, how do I know when you’re speaking?” “Have I ever heard your voice?” These questions, along with what I was facing in life, seemed to strip me down to the core.
It was there that God could come in and begin building a firm foundation. God has been teaching me incredible lessons the past few years and I love learning more about him. I have been so very blessed—even through great trials, God’s provision has been made clear in my mind. One of the greatest lessons I’ve been learning is from Psalm 23. It says, “Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil. For you are with me…”
God has not promised to make me exempt of all danger, rather, he promises that when the valleys come, He will be there with me—And He has been! I have not “arrived” in my Christian walk, nor do I plan to. But I hope to strive more and more after holiness, after Christ, in each new day!
