“Those who live in the shelter of the Most High will find rest in the shadow of the Almighty. This I declare about the LORD: He alone is my refuge, my place of safety; he is my God, and I trust him.” (Psalm chapter 91, verses 1-2).
As I’ve navigated life and faith over the past 15 years, more often than not the lessons I’ve learnt of faith and of God’s love is through those around me.
As I was pondering what to write for this article and with the season in my life I’ve been in lately, I was reflecting on what I had learnt from friends who walk with God also but not just in what they would say in a time of need or trial but how they act upon what they would share as encouragement also.
So, what have my friends taught me on faith?
I’ve journeyed with so many amazing people of faith, and have learnt so much over the years through these faithful friends who serve and love so graciously. However, some of the most unexpected relationships with people of faith that have been pillars in my life have been people I have met outside of the church.
Someone who I respect greatly and who has supported me in so many ways in life and who has encouraged me in my faith walk often shares Psalm 91 with me. The encouragement, protection and love that shines through that passage isn’t just words off her tongue when she shares it.
She acts out this verse daily in the way that she interacts, supports, encourages and cares for those around her. She gives genuinely and compassionately and supports and covers those around her with empathy, just as God does as he takes us under his wing.
Love lived out loud…
One of my closest friends is someone who has a deep faith and love of God. This friend’s life story could be viewed as heart breaking and defeat worthy. But this friend of mine has grasped onto the love of God and every little blessing to make his life full of love, joy and goodness and to give back so selflessly to those around him.
I asked him recently what he would say to encourage people to have faith and continue pursuing God and his answer was exactly what I expected. “God is love and all we need is love. God has never given up on you even in hardship. He is the God of the yes and amen and even when he says no, our faith still stands tall because a yes must be on its way.”
My friend lives his life daily to spread love, compassion, kindness and hope. His life story exemplifies the power of love and hope. He spreads love to everyone around him. He hugs in a way that makes you feel like God has come down to earth to hug you himself. He cares and serves to ensure others in his world have the same hope, joy and love he has found himself surrounded by on his journey.
It’s okay to stray off the path…
It’s easy to assume that if we stray from our walk with God and if we start to question our faith as we battle to keep the faith in our walk with God that we will be judged and made to feel unwelcomed in the church. A few of my spiritual mothers who have loved, supported and encouraged me and walked alongside me in my journey are lovers of people.
They serve their community selflessly and love just like Jesus would. They are non-judgemental and have acknowledged themselves that sometimes we need to stray off the path to experience life without God to realise how good life is with God in it.
They’ve supported and encouraged me as I’ve explored life without God, and they’ve welcomed me back to the church and supported me as I rediscovered life with God at the forefront. They’ve encouraged me with scripture, surrounded me with love and been relationally present in the moments I’ve so needed them.
Whether it's sitting in silence, talking about the deeper emotions I’m feeling, stopping by or initiating contact when I’ve withdrawn from them in a time of struggle and even though they don’t know what’s going on, they follow God’s promptings to reach out and be present in that space.
God is present even when we stray from the path, and he doesn’t judge us for straying away from him, but he does delight when we come back to him.
“The Lord is good to those whose hope is in him, to the one who seeks him; it is good to wait quietly for the salvation of the Lord.” (Lamentations chapter 3, verses 25-26)
I am a Young Salvationist who lives in Upper Hutt, Wellington. I am passionate about enhancing the life experiences of others and do this in my paid employment as a Support worker for those with Intellectual Disabilities and as a volunteer leader for GirlGuiding New Zealand. I love to create, write and travel the world and have a passion for submerging myself in the cultures of each place I travel. I left my heart in Africa a month before Covid sent the world into lockdown and I cannot wait to be able to return and serve in a continent that stole so much of my heart.