Keeping Moving Forward in Faith by Erikka Walker

I’ve always had an awareness of who God is. Being introduced to Him at an early age had made an impression on me. However, I struggled to feel included in activities centered around the church, whether that was going to camp, serving in Vacation Bible School, or just focusing on the sermon. This caused an internal struggle and I came to a point where I felt forced to attend instead of a willingness to participate.

As I got older and life happened and the stresses of adulthood and expectation of culture weighed in, I veered off, becoming less focused on my faith and church and more focused on the opinions of others and a drive for success that was fruitless in what matters. My faith took a back seat. Again though, and I know this now, that the Holy Spirit would reveal to me that God was still there with me, because of certain occurrences that would happen in my life, protecting me from harm, whether physically or psychologically, or people I would cross paths with, or sermons I would hear.

When reading the book of Job, I read of the hardship he faced and struggles that he went through, but because he knew who God is, he kept his faith in God and was given even more in the end (Job 42:7-16) Moses doubted himself when God called him to free His people, but Moses faith in God allowed him to find strength and bravery through God and free thousands from slavery and oppression (Exodus 14:26-31). Esther was a Jewish woman who, even through challenging circumstances and struggling with cultural affluence, pushed through with hope and eventually saved the Jewish people (Esther 8:15-17). They all discovered their purpose by staying rooted in their faith in God.

Even though I experienced struggles and doubts, I reflect on the fact that I was blessed with having that seed initially planted, of originally being rooted in it as a child. Thanks Mom and Dad. I never fully left my faith but now it is stronger than I ever thought possible, with serving in a beautiful church (with people who are like family and bring me joy when I’m in their presence), being able to write lesson plans and teach the children there, co-leading a small group in my home, and sharing my faith unequivocally with others who doubt His existence or who wrestle with or just need a direction pointed in figuring out their journey with Christ. And even though I get discouraged at times, from any thought of where I should be in life right now to health concerns that have shadowed me over the past few years, I continue to push through with the promises He made me, and I seek Him continuously and find joy in Him; that I’m intentional about my time with spent with Him and His purpose for my life, because of faith. Jesus states in Matthew 17: 20-21, “Truly I tell you, if you have faith as small as a mustard seed, you can say to this mountain, ‘Move from here to there,’ and it will move. Nothing will be impossible for you.” I keep His words in my mind throughout my day, and so should you. Holding on can sprout so many possibilities. Stay strong and stay firm. Jesus is with you wherever you go (Matthew 28:20)