What do you believe?

I recieved the following from a friend. It seems that the question I asked had quite an impact on her. This is what she sent me... I pray that it blesses and challenges you!

There are a few particular dates in your life, which will change your life. They will change who you are, who you become, and perhaps what paths you take along the way. For me some of those dates are the day I got married, the day I had my daughter, the day I had my son, and the day I lost my mom to name a few. I am a born again Bible believing Christian and nowhere in that did I mention my relationship with Christ. They were all things that happened to me physically. I didn’t happen to mention any dates that pertained to my faith, because as much as I think I love the Lord; maybe I don’t have Him in the place where He needs to be in my life. I can’t remember the day I was saved. I vaguely remember the day I was filled with the Holy Spirit (I was 11 and it was at summer camp at Big Prairie in Ohio). I do remember rededicating my life to Him at a youth service one Wednesday night in Spring of 2000, right before I graduated from High School (a “Christian” High School no less). I went to a Christian Bible School and definitely got some really good tools that have helped me along the years. But I’ve never had that longing to know Him and put Him above everything else in my life- including myself!

I have really started searching and seeking Him with my whole heart in the last few years, I’ve finally become desperate for Him! I was feeling good with the strides that I was making in my walk until one day I asked my pastor for some help with a discussion I had been having with a friend. I needed help clarifying a few things, so I could go and finish the discussion with confidence. I needed to know what we, as a church, as Bible believing Christians- think about this particular topic. And I think of all the dates that have been important for me in my life, this might be the most important. He wouldn’t give me an answer! He asked me “What do you believe?” I was caught off guard. “Wait! You want me to think for myself and find the answer myself?!”

So, I did. I began thinking and looking for an answer right away. I was consumed with finding an answer. I emailed my pastor and he would email back with verses that would help me in my search. He was not brushing off my need for help at all; instead he very wisely pushed me to look for it myself. I don’t know if he knew that his simple 4 word question would change my life like this, but it has. It most definitely goes on the list of dates that have changed my life. “What do I believe?” It’s not up to my pastor, my husband, my kids, or anyone else to define me and my beliefs. It’s up to me! I am the only one who will be held accountable for my actions, and I am the only one who can choose my way in life.