believing God

Wow.  My first day of heartwork (homework) from Bible study and I am on fire.  I really love learning.  I love when I have read a passage several times before and then suddenly out of no where it becomes ALIVE to you.   The study that I am currently going through is Believing God.  Not believing that God exists, but actual faith that God will do what His word says He will do. Believing God.  I had a list of scriptures I was supposed to read and write little notes about what the concept of believing God is in each verse.     

The verse I was to read was Eph. 4:11-16: 

"It was he who gave some apostles, some to be prophets, some to be evangelists, and some to be pastors and teachers, to prepare God's people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be build up. Until we reach unity in faith and in knowledge of the Son of God and become mature, attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ.

Then we will no longer be infants, tossed back and forth by the waves, and blown here and there by every wind of  teaching and by the cunning and craftiness of men in their deceitful scheming. Instead, speaking the truth in love, we will in all things grown into him who is the Head, that is Christ.  From him the whole body, joined and held together by every supporting ligament, grows and builds itself up in love, as each part does it work." 

I don't think I fully grasped the concept of what this passage is saying until today.  Not only are we responsible as believers to walk in faith ourselves, but our purpose is to build each other up in faith, until we reach the "unity in faith".  Or to put simply... not only do we have to believe that God will do what He says He will do, but we have to encourage those around us to believe as well.  It's not a one man race. It's not a competition against each other of whose is the strongest, fastest. We are all on the same team.    If we are a Christian, then we have a responsibility to make sure that our brothers/sisters make it to the finish line.  

 A couple of years ago Kyle ran in the Air Force marathon, and I learned some cool things.  I learned that there are people all along the entire course cheering you on, giving you these gummy bears for energy, and cups of water.   At the end of the race they take your picture, give you a medal and these weird foil looking towels to stay warm.  I heard Katie Holmes ran in the NYC marathon this fall, and she said thought it was almost over, and then she heard someone say she had six more miles to go.  She wanted to get into the car with Tom and her baby, but she didn't. She kept running.  

I think sometimes people are so worried that they won't finish the race, that they don't even think about the other people around them that might be needing some encouragement to keep believing. Believing that God will do what He says He will do.   I have been there myself a few times.  It's hard enough for me to get time to get my devotional time in, much less make sure other people around me are encouraged to do the same.  I think what I have learned today is that I need to become more intentional about encouraging others in their journey of believing/faith.   I am trying to think of ways I can do that.  Maybe write an email, a phone call, a prayer for them as I am driving down the highway.  

Sometimes our journey of faith can feel lonely. But, we aren't alone.  I met three ladies yesterday that just joined Bible study. They said they have literally cried everyday for three months because they didn't like Alaska.  My heart hurt for them, and I told them "I wished I would have known you then, I would have called you or invited you to study".   They felt like God led them to study and I know He did.  One said, "I haven't cried in two weeks".   I was so excited about getting to know them, and I think it maybe because I was able to do what this verse is talking about- encouraging another believer in their faith.