Faith ~ Not Emotion

My Utmost For His Highest
May 1

There was a time several years ago when I lived my christian faith on cloud nine. I would experience the move of the Holy Spirit every time would worship, pray, and attend service. I was working in full time ministry at Teen Challenge and was completely surrounded by others who were constantly on fire for Christ. It was easy to live by faith in that little world I was living in.

But, in December of 2004, I moved on from that particular ministry and the covering that I had lived under for so long. I got a regular job and just lived a "normal" everyday life. I attended church regularly and continued my christian walk. But something changed. I didn't physically or emotionally feel the presence of God with every moment I spent with Him, I didn't always hear His voice and seldom felt His prompting. I was still in the will of God, and my worship and prayer had not changed. God was changing me! He was testing my faith. Could I still do the work of the Lord without the "cloud nine" experience to drive and inspire me? Could I truly life by faith in the thing that is unseen, unheard, and un-felt?

To be completely honest with you, God is still building my character in this. I am still learning to do the Lords work, to be inspired and passionate about my walk with God without having that "cloud nine experience." I am learning daily the importance of prayer and daily devotions. I am learning the importance of being a spiritual head for my wife. And most importantly, God is always preparing me for a great work.

We can not always depend on good feelings and emotional highs to support our walk with Christ. The past few years have been an incredible growing experience for me and I have had to learn how to stand on my own two feet. I have stumbled and at times even fallen. But, my faith is strong and God is alive in me.