Spiritual Journey

A lot of people have many misconceptions about the Christian faith. Christianity involves a triad based belief, called the Holy Trinity. I involves three different avenues towards its foundational faith system: The Father (God), The Son (Jesus), and the Holy Spirit. You have to find Jesus to get through God. However, there are several way to find Jesus.
The information above is what I have been taught, and you could probably find a lot of this stuff if you google Christianity. However, I feel the best way to understand my faith is to see it from my point of view. I was 'raised in the church', as many people say. I can remember church being a part of my life since I was able to form memories. My family moved around to different denomination, Methodists, Baptist, non-denominational, until my dad was led to pastor his own church, ultimately non-denominational. So yes, I am a PK = preacher's kid. Throughout my childhood I believe in God and in Jesus Christ, however, until I got to college was my faith truly challenged, reborn and developed into who I am trying to be today.
The biggest thing I have learned about my faith is that it's a relationship. Many people focus on the acts in their life that makes them a good christian, and become somewhat 'functional', but are still immature or carnal in their spiritual walk with God. Christian mean to be 'Christ like', meaning that your life should mimic the live Jesus led. I'm not saying people should go into the wilderness and fast, eating nothing but fruits and berries for 40 days. I'm saying that because Jesus was 1) listened and talked to God 2) walked in love during his life and 3) and was selfless.

Believing that God and Jesus are real is is the first step in Christianity. When you do that one starts developing their faith life. The next step is to study the word (Bible), pray and listen from God's word, and begin to develop a relationship with God. All of this can include going to church, bible study or what have you. This is critical, because as one studies the bible and prays to God, they will strengthen their spiritual walk and become sensitive to what God has to say to them. I can personally say that as I have redeveloped my faith, I have began experiencing this. It might sound crazy that I'm 'hearing from God' but I look at it like this. I wake up everyday knowing that 1) I am loved no matter what with a love that surpasses anything that I will truly understand and it brings me peace. 2) God has my back. Jeremiah 29:11-13 says "for I know the plans I have for you," declares the lord, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. Then you call upon me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you. You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart." This is one of my favorite scriptures because it tells me that despite what I may go through, despite what people say, and despite what my mind may tell me, God is here to make sure I am okay, successful, happy, fulfilled, and that he loves me.



Everyday I wake up, I have thoughts constantly running in my mind about how I can incorporate the word into my daily life. I ask myself am I truly making God top priority in my life? Am I examining my life daily to see if it lines up? These are some of the things I have learned are a must in Christianity in order to grow and connect with God on deeper and deeper levels.There is no limit to this depth.



Now I can't speak for all Christians and say that experience this, or even truly understand of believe this as Christianity. However, guidance from my church members back home, through reading the word, and through praying, listening, trusting, and submitting to God, I have been to experience these things and have found Joy, Peace, Comfort, and happiness in them.


One thing I should add to this. When someone decides to become a Christian and begins their spiritual walk, many don't understand that persecution comes along with this walk. Yes, God has always been there in your life protecting you and watching over you, and waiting for you to seek him out. Now that you have decided to start listening to him, you must understand that this road may sometimes be a difficult journey to becoming stronger in him and receiving the blessings he has for you. Persecution is defined as "the systematic mistreatment of an individual or group by another group." This means to be that some people will hold it against me that I am a Christian.

John 15: 18-21 states "If the world hates you, keep in mind that it hated me first. If you belonged to the world, it would love you as its own. As it is, you do not belong to the world, but I have chosen you out of the world. That is why the world hates you. Remember the wolds I spoke to you: 'no servant is greater than his master.' If they persecuted me, they will persecute you also. If they obeyed my teaching, they will obey yours also. They will treat you this way because of my name, for they do not know the One who sent me." This means that when you accept God, not everyone will accept you. However, though these trials may come to pass, God is still there protecting me, watching over me and being their for me through this growth process. Isaiah 43:2 "when you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and when you pass through the rivers, they will not overwhelm you [meaning you will not drift away or be drowned]. When you walk through the fire, you will not be burned; the flames will not set you ablaze." This scripture tells me that God will be there for me and won't let me get burned WHEN I go through hard times. It might get hot, but I won't burn up.

I can probably approach this in several different ways and talk about my love for Christ and to live by his teachings for a pretty long time, but I hope that I was able to give you a glimpse to how I live my daily life.



Patrice French
frenchpb@gmail.com