Saturday, 11 October 2008

• How Far Have You Come? - The Greatest Proof

  
  What stories impact you most as proof that God exists? Most of the time it involves great miracles that have occurred over time, and the prophecies of the past which came true. Obviously, we don't see the signs of the Bible times in our present age. There are no pillars of fire or cloud to lead us where He wants us to go, no booming voice from the Heavens, no people being raised from the dead (that I'm aware of). Very few of us will even see a true vision from God in our lifetimes. So, what is proof to us that it's not just in our minds?

  I think the greatest proof is often the move overlooked proof. Sure, we may find it inspiring to hear of individual tales of triumph over addictions or some life issue -- but even those can wear thin when we are faced with our own trials.

  Don't get me wrong, there is a large place in the scheme of things for miracles and such as an inspiration of proof towards His existence. I don't deny that, and God has given us a great number of that kind to work with. The problem I noticed, though, is that we can put such focus on the big things that we overlook the equally important and miraculous little things that happen in our own lives.

  One thing I have as a benefit of being a converted Christian, rather than one my whole life, is that I was able to see the changes in myself as I grew closer to God the past years. I was, in many aspects, a very sinful person. Sure, we all are, but I didn't know it back then. So, I was convinced I was actually a very good person. My ego tended to be well over inflated about who I was, how I thought, how I responded to others. Due to this my first year of finding the Truth about God consisted of a whole lot of internal wars, confusion, and pain. Almost everything that I was went against what a Biblical Christian should be! How overwhelming that was! Yet (and this may be the biggest miracle of all), even with all of that against me, I still accepted it and started down the hard road of change without any idea of how I'd get through it all.

  Now, as I still struggle down my path and face several internal road bumps which appear to be mountains at the moment, He has been showing me how far I have actually come. It's like constantly looking forward at how hard the climb is going to be, then suddenly being told to look back at the path and you realize you've already made it past more obstacles than you even knew. Imagine the amount of confidence that can give a person! Especially if one realizes that they were carried through most of those obstacles, rather than passing them alone. It adds to ones faith because you know there's always support when you need it.

  This, however, is only on the surface. What really stood out to me is how much this path has actually changed who I am. Beyond just beliefs or how I may react outwardly, God has actually changed the person inside - my heart and mind. So much of who I was simply doesn't exist anymore, and for the life of me I can't pinpoint a space and time when I tossed each part away. It was not a conscience decision on my part to change what I wanted out of my life, whether I would wear jewelry anymore, or if I would no longer be attracted to certain things I shouldn't be. Sure, I had moments where maybe I chose not to listen to the voices inside my head telling me to act that way, or want this, or do that. However I'm talking about the actual inward impulses changing without any real effort on my part. This, in my humble opinion, is the most astounding proof of God working in our lives.

  I believe that you can compare it to a computer. When we are not Christians, we are wired a certain way -- designed to aim at sinful practises and behaviors. The exceptions when we listen to our morals (God's nudges) are actually going against our hard wiring, and therefor tend not to be our normal reactions. Yet, as we get to know God and gain a closer relationship with Him, He is constantly rewiring us from the inside out. Often times I believe we are unaware that this process is being done, even. Wire by wire, He is changing who we are -- or how we are programmed. Eventually it gets to the point that He has completely rebuilt us (or given us a new heart, as Christians often refer to it) so that sin becomes the exception that goes against how we work.

  Am I claiming that this will fix our problems of temptation or sin? No. Even the most perfect computer is vulnerable to hacking and viruses, but it will help because our easier route becomes that of God's will for us rather than Satan's.

  It's the most amazing thing when you see this process being carried out in yourself. This past week I found myself making choices that I never would have before like it was the only possible option for me. It just came naturally, without much tossing between options. I actually found that had I gone the sinful way, it would have felt so foreign and wrong I never would have enjoyed it. Yet the sins in question are ones that used to be up front in who I was! What was formally the most natural responses to me, are now the most foreign. With very little effort on my own part, too. If that isn't proof there is a force outside of us that is very real and very present, I don't know what is.

  I strongly recommend to anyone who reads this to take some time and look back in your path. See what God has carried you through, and what wires He has already redirected within your heart and mind. It's a very inspiring thing to realize, and one I am very thankful for.

  Blessings and Love,
  Sarah

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