Believe

The conduct or our lives is the outward proof of our convictions and beliefs. For instance, as a kid, I believed in Santa Clause and the Tooth Fairy. Consequently, on Christmas Eve, I hung up my stocking and left cookies on a TV tray believing that Santa would arrive at my house, leave me gifts and enjoy the snack I left for him. 

I was never disappointed by what I believed. In the morning, there were crumbs where there had once been cookies and my stocking bulged with surprises.

 In a similar manner, when I’d lose a tooth, I’d place it under my pillow when going to bed. Then, in the morning, a crisp one dollar bill replaced the tooth. Again, I did not experience disappointment. My belief held true. 

Then I grew into a teenager and experienced disappointment with my beliefs. I believed that my acceptance and popularity in high school hinged on whatever was between the glossy pages of a popular teen magazine I subscribed to. As a result, I tried to copy the clothes and hair fashions and physique of some of the models. But, my belief did not hold true. I was not accepted nor was I popular as I’d hoped I would be.

Then, as a young independent adult, I pursued success as defined by the culture; college, status, and happiness via a career. Here too, I was disappointed. Instead of leading to fulfilling accomplishments, my belief led to feelings of hopelessness. 

Now, I decided, was the time for me to take a good hard look at my life. It was evident that going along with my convictions and beliefs had not produced anything that my heart longed for: contentment, peace, and joy. If I could not bring myself any satisfaction in the life I was living then why not put an end to living?  

This was a critical junction of my beliefs. If I’d believed this conviction, that it was up to me to bring satisfaction into my life, otherwise life was not worth living, then I’d not be here today. Life would have ended for me at that junction. But, I did not follow through with that idea. 

Instead, unforgettably and in a practical manner, Jesus appeared in such a way that I could not deny what I saw and heard presenting me with an option I’d never considered before; “You could choose to let me show you a better way to live.” My response? I chose to accept the offer. 

Why Bother?

Why bother knowing what we believe? Knowing what we believe is the difference between thinking critically and not thinking at all. Knowing what we believe is the difference between choosing life and choosing death.

P.S.  I wrote the story of my journey to forgiveness for those who’ve been hurt by someone they love. You can find A Heart’s Journey To Forgiveness at Redemption Press and Amazon.