Have you heard the beautiful love song by Ed Sheeran and Andrea Bocelli called Perfect?  You can find it here.  It’s a beautiful love song and their vocals are amazing.  The words touch the soul of anyone who dreams to be loved by another human being.

As much as I love this song, another artist, Phillipa Hanna, took some liberties and created a Christian version as a worship song.  Take a listen:

Who doesn’t want to feel that kind of love? Do you believe that you, too, can be loved like that by our Savior?  Today, I want to talk about something that is extremely personal, my faith.   I know, you’re probably saying ‘she always talks about her faith’.  I don’t just want to share what’s in my head but what’s in my heart as well.

The 50 days after Easter the church has focused on the Book of Acts and the life of the early church; more specifically, our call to love and share the good news with a hurting world.  I’m amazed at the lives of the early Christians and the courage it took for them to testify to their Christian witness.  To be persecuted and martyred for the simple act of believing in the message of Jesus Christ.

Back in March, the film, Paul, The Apostle Of Christ was in theaters and it gave an account of the life of Paul, who before becoming a disciple of Christ was a persecutor of all those who believed.  The story focuses on Paul after his conversion.  His bold speech and testimony to his new faith landed him in prison.  While imprisoned, Paul was haunted by the memories of his past as he gave Luke an account of his transformation to be written out and passed down. Paul’s bravery had to be documented and protected in print so that generations to follow would stay the course in their time of persecution.

How boldly those early disciples witnessed to their faith.  I had to ask myself, could I do that? Do I do that? For me, the bigger question is why do I hide my faith when Jesus proclaimed it to be shared with the world? It led me to think of some of the reasons we avoid conversations about our faith.

Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on the lampstand, and it gives light to all who are in the house… Matt 5:15

I suppose that in other areas of the world, the reason may be the same as the early church – fear of death, but for most of us, our testimony is not life-threatening.  I would guess that we don’t want controversy or perhaps are afraid we don’t know enough about our faith to defend it.  Perhaps we’re afraid of being made fun of or worse, judged when our actions fall short of who we claim to be as Christians.  I can personally attest to this one  (and from some of those closest in my life)!

I remember once being asked, don’t you ever doubt if it’s all true?  What if its all a myth?  I paused for a moment and said in all honesty…if those thoughts ever cross my mind, I quickly ask myself – but what if it’s not a myth?  It brings me great joy and peace to believe in the promises of God.

I don’t know why my love for someone who gave all for me, who teaches me love, understanding, compassion, and forgiveness makes me the center of others’ ridicule and judgment.  I often find that I’m judged more harshly for their belief that because of my faith, I judge them.  That couldn’t be farther from the truth.

Studying scripture has really changed my perspective.  I don’t look at the bible as just a book with nice, old stories inside – this is a love letter written by God to His family.  It is a telling of the story of my ancestors, those who paved the way for me.  It is filled with stories of those who shared similar challenges in their lives and how God used each challenge to fulfill a very specific plan He set out for His family.  It touches my heart so deeply, now that I read it in this context.  The Holy Spirit allows me to grasp its relevance to my life.  There are times that I know I’ve read a certain passage a hundred times before but hear it in a very different way – a way in which it is meant to be heard at this time and place in my life.

Sowing  Sunday living in a weekday world.

I hope you enjoyed your visit here today.  If you did, please share your thoughts in the comments below or share on social media using the hashtag #gardenerstouch