What difference does God make in my life?
What difference does God make in my life? This question is deeply personal to the individual and to answer the question requires a basis of faith to start with. The key aspects of this blog will be faith, hope, love, and peace that will form the basis, but to commence, we must ask ourselves; what is faith?
Faith can be defined as the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen (Hebrews 11:1). But what does this verse mean on a personal level?
On a personal level, the verse highlights that faith is having confidence of things that are not only outside of our control but also that we have not seen. Proof comes from means that are not obviously tangible or visible and this stems from how the world was created. As no one has ever seen God, I believe what is written later in this chapter in verse 3, ‘By faith we understand that the universe was created by the word of God, so that what is seen was not made out of things that are visible.’
This faith that all that I know was created by God gives me the peace that God is control. Knowing that God is the creator of all that I can see visibly, and that God is not confined to time as we know it, enhances this. This supported by the opening passage in the Bible, ‘In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth’ (Genesis 1:1). The entire of Genesis chapter 1 gives us details of how God created the heavens and all that is associated with the earth. This for me gives perspective that I am a piece of creation and gives me a more humble mindset that all mankind is equal. It sets limits that are in line with a quote from former US President Benjamin Franklin; “In this world nothing can be said to be certain except death and taxes.” However, there is a hope of a great time to come where all mankind has a chance of life eternal as God showed his love for mankind by sending his son, the Lord Jesus to the earth. John 3: 16-17 summarises these events: For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him.
For me, knowing that death is not the end, but God has a bigger plan in store gives me not only hope but peace that God’s love is genuine for us all. Being obedient and following what has been commanded is key to secure a place where there will be eternal life.
Being at peace and knowing better times are to come, is really encouraging as everyone faces various challenges in this life. But having the faith about God’s love and future plans, gives me that extra encouragement, that extra hope and that extra peace that there truly is an amazing time to look forward to.
MM
