Hi, my name is Ashley, and I’m a Boundless Line
lurker. Phew, I feel better admitting that. But I’m no longer trolling
around the site making up comments in my head and then never
posting them — I’m a new contributor. Pleased to meet all of you!
The idea for this post comes courtesy of my mom.
Now, you have to understand that my mom doesn’t always understand the
Christian dating culture (one time she sent me a book on
dating by Dr. Phil and another time offered to pay for an online dating
service for me as a birthday gift), but during one particular
conversation in which I whined about being single in a world of married
friends, my mom said something that has stayed with
me. She said that maybe God is using this season to develop long faith
in me.
I’ve thought about that a lot. And I like the
idea that the very thing I wish I could change in my life is actually
helping me to know God in a way that increases my faith.
I think that some struggles develop in us deep faith. Like when we’re
in an intense time of suffering or doubt or hardship, but there’s an end
in sight. I think about when I was laid off from my dream job and then
broke up with a boyfriend three months later.
It was hard, really hard, but I knew in time it would get
better. And it did, and I knew that my faith was deepened because when I
seemed to hit rock bottom, God’s everlasting arms were deeper still. On the other side, I saw God’s faithfulness.
But what about when there isn’t an end in sight?
What about when you’re still months or years away from being on the
other side? Maybe you’ve been praying for a spouse and God
seems silent on the matter. Maybe you’ve been praying for a friend or
family member who isn’t a believer. Or you’ve applied for 67 jobs, and
you’re still a college grad praying your degree is worth something. I
think that’s where we learn long faith. And by
definition, long faith takes time. Lots and lots of time. But then
we’ll know our faith can go the distance. It’s not only deep, but also
long.
So whether you meet the love of your life tomorrow
or next year, or you find a job on Thursday or next April, you’ll see
God’s answer to your prayers. And in the meantime, you’ll
know your faith can sustain you. Because in the meantime is when we
develop long faith.
Is there something God has used in your life to teach you long faith?
