Living In Faith Sometimes faith is all you have

Have you ever really taken the time to “stop and smell roses”? What does that mean anyway? Well, you can smell a rose, that’s fine; but, is that what the question truly means? Personally I don’t think so. I think the better question is have you ever really taken the time to just be still and look around you?; take in your environment?

Ok, here’s an example; I was standing outside this morning and noticed the moon. So, what’s the big deal? The moon is always there and every now and again you can see the moon during the same time that the sun is shining; big whoop right? Yeah, it is a big deal. Think about it for a second.
The moon, which lights the nights’ sky, shares the same space as the sun, which lights and warms the day; two planets/stars, with their individual jobs for different times of the day/night, sharing the same moment. Have you ever really stood still and thought about that?

Let me share something and I ask that you just bare with me for a bit. I love music; all kinds of music. There are so many times I listen to a song and enjoy the beat, but never really listened to the words. I
might get the chorus or a few words here and there, but it’s the beat that catches me. One day, I started to actually pay attention to the words. It was funny because, though I loved the beat, the words were less appealing. So, I began to pay more attention to the words of the music I was listening to. To me, the point of listening to a song is because it touches me in some way. It makes me reminisce, it makes me feel happy, it makes me want to dance, or it makes me cry; but, in my mind, there is a purpose for music; a purpose for the lyrics. Anyway, there are many songs that touch my heart and make me think. I want to share this one song that really made a difference in me; a difference in the way I see things in my Christian walk. And, as I stood outside this morning looking at the moon, it came to mind. The song is called “Redeemer” and is sung by Nicole C. Mullen. The words are as follows:

'Who taught the sun where to stand in the morning?
And who told the ocean you can only come this far?
And who told the moon where to hide ‘till evening?
Whose words alone can catch a falling star?

Well I know my redeemer lives
I know my redeemer lives
All of creation testifies
This life within me cries
I know my redeemer lives

The very same God that spins things in orbit
Runs to the weary, the worn and the weak
And the same gentle hands that hold me when I’m broken
They conquered death to bring me victory

Now I know my redeemer lives
I know my redeemer lives
Let all creation testify that this life within me cries
I know my redeemer
He lives to take away my shame
And He lives forever I’ll proclaim
That the payment for my sin
Was the precious life He gave
But now He’s alive and there’s an empty grave
And I know my redeemer lives
I know my redeemer lives
Let all creation testify
Let this life within my cry
I know my redeemer lives”

Like I said, this song came to mind this morning as I looked at the moon. I just took a few minutes and thought to myself how cool the moon looked. It was almost transparent against the clear blue sky as the rays of the sun kissed it ever so gently. I started thinking about how these two awesome stars are always where they are supposed to be whether we see them or not. How is that possible?
“Who told the ocean you can only come this far”? How true is that question. Have you ever thought about that? The ocean stretches so far and so deep, yet, as it becomes shallower when it comes closer to the shore and then, stops. The ocean stops. It doesn’t overflow onto the shore and into the rest of the world. How is that possible? Really think about that. Now, I’m not talking about those horrible tidal waves or tsunamis that occur every now and then. I’m talking about the average day. Granted, the bottom of the ocean has its highs and lows in many areas to capture the waters and keep them deeper in some areas. But how did that happen? How does the ocean floor know where to hold the waters and where to release? Ok, sounds a bit silly, I know. But, these are things that sometimes come to my mind.

I am a firm believer that there is a reason for everything. I believe that things don’t “just happen”. I believe that for every affect, there was a cause. I believe in creation. I believe that where there is a creation, there is a creator. I believe in God. I believe there is only one God; one triune God who created all things on earth, in earth, and around earth. I also believe that science proves it; at least in my mind. How’s that? Well, The big Bang theory for one. Ok, so the theory is that there was this atomic nucleus that eventually exploded in such a way that there are no real words to explain it. This explosion created subatomic particles… matter…. Energy…. Yada yada yada. There is a scientific explanation for what happened after this “explosion”. This only tells me that scientists/astronomers have discovered proof of the power of God at the point of creation. “God said” and….. BOOM!!!! Creation begins. I believe that God created the universe and placed everything where He wanted it and how He wanted it.

Now, for those who are into science, you may disagree with me and that’s totally ok. I am not into science and I am not ashamed to say that I truly don’t know much about it. All I know is what I believe in my heart and science can’t touch that. So, there’s also no need (or desire on my part) to debate it. I am not afraid to debate; I just see no need for it. The squabble between faith and science is something that may have no end and I am fine with agreeing to disagree. With that said, I also believe that God has blessed many people with the mind; the knowledge and wisdom for science; and I believe He did so for a reason. I also believe that God has blessed many people with the desire to learn and understand the human body; people who become doctors. When I get sick, I go to the doctor and if medication is needed, I take it. At the same time, I believe in the power of prayer and divine healing. Can one truly believe in both? Why not? If modern medicine cannot help (for whatever reason), I believe that is when God takes over (when we ask Him). Just simply asking isn’t enough, in my opinion. One would have to truly believe in the heart that God will heal. This subject can take many directions and I don’t want to write more than I feel led to, so I won’t go into it all. The point is I believe that there is room for both faith and science.

When I think about the galaxies, and all that God created, I think about the Love He has for us and all things. I think about the sacrifice He made for me; for all of humanity. So, once in a while, I try to take some time to just be still; to look at the moon; to look at the stars; to smell the freshly cut grass or to enjoy a cool breeze. Once in a while I think it’s pretty awesome to really take some time; even for just a moment to take in all of God’s creation. It certainly doesn’t hurt anyone or anything to do that. Life is way too short and this world has become so chaotic. I want to enjoy life. I want to have peace and joy. Ever since I decided to have a relationship with Christ and grow closer to God, I had begun to understand real love, happiness, and joy. Oh, don’t get me wrong, crap still happens and things in life get messed up. But God never promised that everything would be easy, but He did promise that He would help see me through those hard times. He made that promise, and thus far, He has never let me down.

For the benefit of those who say they don’t believe in God; let me say this; what do you have to lose? You have one of two choices. One, you can continue to believe that there is no God and nothing changes in your life. Or, you can give God a chance and find out how your life will change. What’s the worst thing that could happen? Continue to disbelieve in God and continue as you have been… nothing lost. Decide to take a chance with God and, hmmmm… if nothing happens, you still haven’t lost anything right?

But what if something does happen? What if you start to get to know Christ and you find out that He really is cool. Not this cosmic killjoy that some people make Him out to be. What if you find that your life does take a turn for the better and that you feel things you have never felt before (for the better)? If this is the case, then you have so much to gain. When you think about it, you don’t have anything to lose by giving God a chance, but you can have so much to gain. And the awesome thing is that you don’t have to pay for it. What God has for you is free. Jesus already paid the price; you only have to accept that and accept Him for who He is.

Take the time once in a while to really take it all in. Stand still and listen to the birds. Stan still and look at the stars. Stan still and feel the crisp air. It certainly can’t hurt you.

God bless you.