The Next Step 'Gudied by faith'

If you haven't read 'Just the beginning", please go back and read that blog first. It gives you an idea of who I am, how I got to this stage of my life, and finally the transition I currently am in. It will also give you a better understanding of why I see things the way I do.



Now, let's continue.....

It's no longer just the beginning! Instead, it's been a while since I was saved by Christ. He has opened my eyes to many different things like faith, forgiveness, patience, and a limited understanding. In many ways, I feel like I kicked through the bubble I was living in. Although I spent some time tangled up, I finally peaked my head out and said 'Ohhh I have a lot to learn.' How do you learn? You read! Then, you read some more....... Slowly, all of your questions begin to find answers. Once you cross the line of understanding (Coming to Christ), all of a sudden it changes everything. It's like walking around a bedroom without light for many minutes, then someone flips the light switch on. At first you are confused and disoriented, but when that passes you begin to see more clearly. I truly believe I am at this point. The last 14 months I have been in a daze, or even confused in a way, but lately I have been seeing more clearly. I still cant quite see everything, but the light is shining and the room is now visible.

After the initial embarrassment, I began to move forward. Why was I embarrassed you might ask? Well, when the light turns on you are exposed at first. You realize a lot of the things you've done were done in the dark. They were sinful in nature! It's like you were in the bedroom stealing and the light switch flips on.... Your first instinct is to run and hide. Once you realize you can't escape the light, you then begin to say your sorry. You suck it up, hold your head high, and begin to ask for forgiveness. Now, what is the next step????

This is where things get dificult. Control has been given up and god is working in your favor. There is no clear path, but faith guides you! I get a real feeling I am being guided and this was the only way I knew how to explain it. There are still many times I lose that guidance, because I choose to do things that take me off that path (sinning). The light is shining and Im doing well, however I begin to take a few things from the room again. Except now, I quickly put the things I took back where they belong. I am now realizing when I do something wrong and immediately asking for forgiveness. When I was in the dark it didnt matter, but now I am in the light. Soon, I will venture out to never again take anything from the room. When this happens I will be guided completely by faith.

As I step outside (still not completely sinless, but working on it), I see many problems inside the room. It is not in order. Im not talking about the rest of the house, just my room itslef. We must get our own room in order before we begin working on the rest of the house. I mean, I just turned on the light bare with me... Now that the light is on, I look around and see that many people are still living with the lights out. They are living without Christ!!! So, I'm going to find a way to clean my own room and show it to them. This will be tough! How can I begin to talk to people about Jesus? It's not just a normal conversation in todays world. Its something different when hardly noone around me openly talks about it. Im the type of person that doesn't care, but still!!! How do you approach it? How do you begin? What do you say? These are questions I find myself asking and now starting to answer. Remember, I ask a lot of questions. I also know that I can stir up a conversation about whatever and wherever. However, I go beyond that.... I know what I will say, but what I have to get prepared for is what someone else will say. What their response may be. I have to be ready, therefore I prepare myself by learning.

Just last week someone read my post and sent a response to me. We were chatting online and he said, "It's almost overwhelming when you first come to know Christ. At first you want to tell everyone."

When I read this I was completely frozen. I thought to myself, I don't only want to tell people at first, but always. I always want to talk to people about Jesus. Now and in the future. I dont think the other person necessarily meant it that way, but it spoke to me. I don't just want to get excited for a little while, talk to people, then live the majority of my life coasting through. I want to actively spread the message. I feel like now that I know, in a way I'm expected to. HE expects me to. He knows that Im good about getting people excited about something, because he's seen me do it in my past. Therefore, he knows I can bring people to Christ if I only try. With all this being said, I can't even pray in front of a group yet. I always hope they won't call on me to pray in a group setting. However, something tells me to keep observing, keep listening, and talking to him yourself. I will learn and eventually I will venture out. I just won't do so until I have learned enough! When I say enough, I mean alot. I want to learn a very good amount before I do anything. Once I learn, I feel I have the ability to do something big. Time will tell! For now, I will be learning and by learning I mean letting go.

Jesus answered, "I tell you the truth, you are looking for me, not because you saw miraculous signs but because you ate the loaves and had your fill. Do not work for food that spoils, but for food that endures to eternal life, which the Son of Man will give you. On him God the Father has placed his seal of approval."

Then they asked him, "What must we do to do the works God requires?"

Jesus answered, "The work of God is this: to believe in the one he has sent."

John 6: 26-29



Sooooo, what's the next step? The next step is to be patient and learn. We have to let go and be guided by faith and I believe he will show us the way. Therefore, put your faith in him. The One!!!

God bless you!