Do you think my spiritual journey was easy? No, it wasn’t easy at all. From childhood to adulthood, I found myself asking God why are there so many wicked individuals in this world. As Christians, we talked about spiritual journey. Oftentimes, we want to give up and feel alone and depressed, either due to health, financial issues, or situations at work and church. This story follows my journey from feeling lost and sad to accepting amazing spiritual growth and unconditional faith.
The Beginning of Faith in My Spiritual Journey
My spiritual journey began at age 13 when I accepted Jesus as my personal Savior at Nazarene Church, where my paternal uncle was a member. My mother didn’t approve of my decision at that time because she grew up in the Catholic Church. She felt I was making the wrong decision and was too young to make it. However, shortly after, my uncle was shot and killed while working. My parents accepted Jesus Christ as their personal Savior as well.
My mom realized that was the best decision I could ever make at a young age, so I’ve been in church since then. I don’t know much about the secular world. I’ve always been in church, working and doing my best to increase my faith and live a way to please God.
Deepening Spiritual Journey Commitment
After my husband and I married, we moved away from family and friends to another city. I have worked as a director in the children’s ministry for 14 years at my church and transitioned to youth director for ten years. I’m deeply involved in the church ministry, the praise team, the Youth Sunday school teacher, and the media department. I’m very involved in my church and always there to help wherever they need me. I would say the move strengthened my spiritual endeavors. Also, it helps me find my purpose in serving others, as the Bible tells us.
“With good will render service, as to the Lord, and not to men, knowing that whatever good thing each one does, this he will receive back from the Lord, whether slave or free” (Ephesians 6:7-8 New American Standard Bible).
Triumphs and Tribulations
The Journey has not been without trials. My health issues have been up and down. God sustained me through four miscarriages, surgeries, biopsies, and different procedures. During one of those procedures, when I came through, my husband told me that I had stopped breathing. I thank God that He brought me back to life. God never leaves nor forsakes me. He cared for me and my family through it all, so I could say that God is faithful, and His goodness is amazing. If it weren’t for God, I wouldn’t be here today.
I do not regret accepting Christ as my personal Savior, for He is eternally good. When I look back on my life, I say, “Wow! Look what God can do. I am a miracle!” He kept protecting me with His perfect love. He showed me the way and held my hand when I felt discouraged. I recalled another time when I was going through health and workplace issues at the same time, causing mental and physical stress and discomfort. I was mistreated at work, but God never left my side. He was always beside me.
Nurturing Resilience Through Faith
The spiritual journey will not be easy. As believers, we will find people who will belittle and wrong us, but we cannot give up hope. God has control of our lives. Learn to focus on Him to see you through. Guess what? Even among believers, you will find discouragement, but don’t give up. Be steadfast because Jesus has control of your life.
The enemy will go hard on you, preventing you from growing spiritually. Every time a believer tries to improve, the enemy will find a way to tell him or her that he/she is no good. The one person who will always believe in you and never bring you down is Jesus. So, keep trusting Him to show you the way. Remember that you don’t have to believe what the enemy says. He is a liar. Focus on God, find your purpose in Him, and ask Him to help you. You are serving someone greater than what you see.
A Call to Spiritual Awakening
I’m taking this opportunity to ask if anyone reading this doesn’t know Jesus Christ, now is the time to accept Him as your personal Savior. Tomorrow is not promised to anyone. Today is the day of salvation. Come to Jesus today! He is calling you and waiting for you to come to Him. He will not push you away, no matter your past mistakes or what’s going on in your life. He can mend your heart. He can give you profound peace in your life.
Jesus Christ died on the cross for you and me. He didn’t deserve to die for our sins, but because of His unconditional love for us, He made the ultimate choice to sacrifice His life to save our lives – and give us life. We sin every second as human beings, His words say we fall short of His glory (Romans 3:23). God knows we’re not perfect; He is the only perfect One. Don’t say I’m waiting until I’m perfect to come to Christ. No one is perfect. Spiritual growth is a journey that takes time to become more like Jesus.
Reflections on a Life of Spiritual Journey and Faith
Reflecting on my spiritual life, I can see the hands of God on me. My journey taught me the invaluable lesson of focusing on spiritual growth and relying on God’s strength to overcome adversities. There will be challenges and tribulations, and people will not understand you – but don’t ever give up. Keep up the good work, follow the word, and ask the Lord every day to make you a blessing to someone else and enlarge your territory. I ask God daily to give me a heart of encouragement to help people who are suffering and don’t know where to turn.
As I look forward, I want my life to be a beacon of encouragement to others. Moreover, every moment is an opportunity to further one’s spiritual Journey. Pursuing a deeper spiritual connection offers a profound sense of purpose and fulfillment.
At last, believe that God will take care of you and your problems. I can say that I spent all my life in church serving the Almighty. He never failed me once. Saying all that doesn’t mean that I make no mistakes in my life. God knows I am nowhere perfect and full of flaws, but I’m determined to see Jesus when He calls me home.
As I say, a spiritual journey will not be easy, but you can do it if you put God first in everything you do. He is a great God who is always on time. His timing is perfect, and He never lies. So, embrace a life of service, anchored in faith, knowing that all things are possible.