The next steps...

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It’s been a little over a week since we have seen Charlie Kirk get martyred for speaking truth, and while there is grief of what happened there is also hope in seeing countless people either start to read their Bibles and go to church for the first time, or other people who have been raised in the faith get back into reading their Bibles and standing strong for Christ.

It’s a very interesting mix of emotions for sure. And I wanted to talk about the next steps that are going to be happening around the country and world.

For you who just started reading the Bible, for you who hasn’t read it in years or have never even thought of Christ- I want to encourage you. You are starting a part in your life that will be completely redefining. It will change you from the inside out, and every day it will grow you a little more.

I would recommend starting in the gospel of John, this is one of the gospels in the New Testament that describes the life and time of Jesus. Once you get through John, go to Romans. There are many online Bible plans to look through, but the main thing is to read it every day. Even if it’s just for 10 minutes, it will benefit your soul like nothing else.

I also encourage you to get into a good Bible believing church. This is what we use to describe a church that not only believes the Bible but also speaks out the truth regardless of if it’s popular or catchy / trendy. If you go to a church and they are speaking woke ideology (such as there are more then 2 genders, BLM, my body my choice) or they spend 75% of the time talking about stories of their own lives rather then the Bible, go somewhere else. That type of church is not actually a true Bible believing church, and will do you more harm then good, especially where you are right now.

There are two forms of the Church that are used pretty interchangeably. the first being just the building where people gather and worship on Sundays or on a day of the week. The second form is when it is capitalized and that refers to the entire body of Christ- spread out through out the entire history, a link of a chain of belief in and of God linking us to each other. This builds community and responsibility for our actions.

Now here’s the thing, especially if you are either returning to reading the Bible and getting back to church after a long time or if you are just now starting your journey- this is one thing to remember.

You will have fluctuations of want. This is important to remember, because this happens in our life across all things. We want to do something, such as mountain climbing or learning a language, and when you first begin it’s new and fun and you can’t wait to do it. But then after a week or month or so it begins to be boring and routine and the ‘same old thing’ and you lose enthusiasm for it.

This is normal. This happens with everything. It’s called the law of undulation, and it means that because we are mortal and we have a soul our passions rise and fall with emotions. Now just because it’s normal for our body to do this, does not mean that we should give up when it happens.

For a Christian, especially a new believer or someone just inching into the faith, this newness will start to wear off and then the typical response is to wonder if you just were worked up in emotions and maybe it didn’t really mean anything. This is also known as the mountain peak moment. There are times when you feel God super close, it’s like you are on a mountain and it’s only you and Him. But then after that experience, you have to come down to the valley. There’s nothing much that grows or lives high on the mountain, but in the valley is where roots develop.

It is easy to dismiss what happened when the newness fades, but I encourage you, during that time where you are wondering what happened, keep reading your Bible. Keep going to church and praying. Because what is happening to you at that moment, is that you are developing resistance and character, and if you keep pressing towards God EVEN WHEN you can’t feel Him, that will ensure that you will grow deep roots. And deep roots will not be shaken by popular opinion, or by controversy or by hatred. Deep roots last.

Think about it like this, a person who is trying to build up muscle isn’t going to be discouraged by a plateau where they haven’t gained any noticeable muscle or lost any fat, they just keep showing up to the gym, keep eating healthy and keep doing the things that they know because it’s proven, that will help them get where they are.

That is the same way for new believers and for believers coming back to the fold. We have to have consistency and discipline to keep doing what we know is right, even when we don’t see any actual results. You are training your soul to lean in to God, you are teaching yourself to learn how to worship even when it’s hard. And even if you don’t see a difference, I guarantee you, God does. And God is helping you to be changed and fully His.

It will not happen overnight. It will not even happen in a week or a month. The Christian life is for the long haul because we know that there is eternity to face, and the more we understand that, the easier it is for us to give up items that may be limiting our walk with God.

Normal is no longer normal. Our definition has changed, but our journey is just beginning. We cannot do this alone, but God will be there and will help you every step of the way, but only if you ask Him to do so.

ex libris

~Stephanie