There is a reason why God has made it clear that this Christian pathway is not a solo journey.
There are reasons, but one in particular became very clear to me recently.
I was going through some really difficult decisions to be made, and I was honest enough to understand I needed help. My wife was brilliant (again) in offering a perspective I had not considered. Other good friends chimed in as well widening that perspective so that I could see things that I had not previously appreciated.
As I considered the wider perspective, the following became even more abundantly apparent. If we choose to walk by faith, every step really is determined by the focus of our faith. It is note determined by me, anymore. Once it reverts back to me then it is no longer faith. Once it is determined by the focus of faith, then it is all the more crucial to depend on that focus of faith.
Sometimes the immediacy of life, and the decisions we make and the issues around that, takes our focus away from the centre of the faith walk. Which is why having good friends around you is helpful, because they help to remind you that He who began the good work, will finish it. They remind you that He who leads you to it, will lead you through it for His glory. They remind you that there is no such thing as stability and security outside of Jesus Christ.
Those reminders, then help you to take the next step.
Not only is it their advice in words, it is also their own lives of faith. A good friend reminded me that faith can rub off on you. By that he meant, that the company you keep can determine how you’ll progress, and if you happen to be around folks who take their faith walk seriously, chances are you’re likely to take your faith walk seriously as well. Every testimony of God’s greatness will further encourage you to take those steps of faith, no matter the cost.
Therein lies the issue as well – no matter the cost.
My other good friend reminded me that anyone can walk on water, when they’re not paying attention to the wind. When I begin to consider other factors out of the focus of the faith, no wonder I begin to stumble, withdraw, begin to sink.
This is why it is important to do this faith walk with others who are walking by faith. So when we lose focus, others will help us re-focus. As we focus it can help others to re-focus.
This realisation of the focus of faith is beautifully liberating and captivating. I am reminded that my life is not my own, but I’ve been bought with a price. I am released from the chains of slavery, and set free to walk in a path set for me by my new Lord.
This is another things that enables me to see my work life as an opportunity to glorify God with all the He’s given, and why everything I do must be done in the strength of the Lord.
For His Name’s Sake
Shalom
C. L. J. Dryden
Life With CD 