Going on a Treasure Hunt

Our Bible study group is starting our summer study this Tuesday. We are doing Jennifer Rothschild's "Walking By Faith - Lessons Learned in the Dark". This is the second time for me. The first time, was 2003 or 2004. I can't remember and can not find my first book which really bugs me because I would love to see some of my comments from the first time. :)

When I started day one, this week I remembered the first time. I remember thinking that while I had a mental understanding of what walking by faith meant, I had not actively lived it. At least not to the degree I knew God was calling me to.

At the end of day one, we were asked to tell whose faith walk is most remarkable to us. We were parked in Hebrews 11 and asked to choose from Noah, Abraham, Sarah and Moses.

I picked Noah. In a time when man had become consumed with self, evil and so far from what God intended, Noah chose to walk with the Lord. (Genesis 6:9) He was described as blameless in his generation. Not perfect, but aware of his need for God. I love that the last part of Genesis 6:9 says "Noah walked with God."

He walked with God. In that wicked time, He walked, talked and most importantly listened to God. God used Noah to "start over" if you will.

As I finished day one and began to ask God to show me how to apply what I had been reading I was reminded that much like Noah, we live in a wicked time. At times we Christians have sacrificed our personal holiness often in an attempt to be relevant to those around us. Boy oh boy did God convict me on this one.

He reminded me that despite the world I live in I can choose to walk closely with God. When my life ends I do not want people to say "Stephanie was a Christian" or "Stephanie went to church and did what good Christians are supposed to do." I want the type of relationship that says "Stephanie walked with God."

I want to as Noah did, (Gen. 6:8) find favor with God. My heart desire is to be the type of woman God could "start over" with.

I can tell that the next few weeks are going to be full of hard work and I know that I'm going to face some issues with my faith walk that I have been avoiding. Will it be easy? No. Will it be worth the hard work and tears? Yes.

We are going to learn to exercise our faith like never before and that my friend, is exciting to me. Faith living has eternal consequences. I love what Jennifer says on day one:

"When we step out in faith, we find the treasures God has reserved for those who lean completely on Him."

I'm going on a treasure hunt and the prize is something more precious than I can imagine.