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)

Hear my cry, O God, listen to my prayer; from the end of the earth I call to you when my heart is faint. Lead me to the rock that is higher than I, for you have been my refuge, a strong tower against the enemy. Let me dwell in your tent forever! Let me take refuge under the shelter of your wings!

‭‭Psalm‬ ‭61‬:‭1‬-‭4‬ 

Recently, I placed a card someone had given me into my Bible, and little did I know then that what I thought was a random placement would lead to a teaching moment from God. A few years ago, our family endured a very difficult time. It was a time of feeling betrayed, a time of financial difficulty, a time of loss, a time of feeling very much like the psalmist when he said, “My heart is faint.” Throughout that time, we did call out to God, and He didn’t leave us or forsake us. He was absolutely faithful. However, very recently, a situation sparked the memory of that time, and I allowed that memory to bring me to a place of rekindled anger and reopening of wounds. I allowed myself to get all in my feelings, and they weren’t good feelings either. When I grabbed my Bible at this time of rekindled anger and hurt, it opened to the place where that card was “randomly placed”. Immediately, I was drawn to where I had highlighted Psalm 61:1-2. I had circled the word “lead” and written “continually conduct me”. I don’t know where I heard that, but God definitely used it to humble me and remind me to be on guard. You see, if I had been on guard, continually allowing God to conduct my thoughts, I likely would not have returned to those feelings of anger, hurt, betrayal. Feelings that led me to thoughts of what I’d like to say or do, things that would not have been of God. 

These verses reminded me that we must be continually following God’s lead at all times. The psalmist was certainly in a difficult time and was rightfully asking for God to lead Him to protection, which is a proper response in those times. My thoughts, though, took me to a self inspection of what it would be like if I continually asked for God to lead me, to be my guide, to be my shelter. Continually following Him would lead me to dwell, not just visit, but to actually dwell or abide in His presence. His presence protects me from getting all in my feelings and allowing the reopening of wounds that He has healed. The enemy uses feelings to get us to stray off the path of following God, to live defeated. We cannot let those feelings dominate. We combat that by allowing God to lead, continually conduct, us, so we can then know the salvation and peace found only in abiding in His presence. Rather than being all in our feelings, let’s be all in our God!

I worked myself into a pure tizzy yesterday, and I mean a pure d tizzy. 

You know what happened after the aforementioned situation was all said and done? 

Nothing. 

Nothing that I worried about that’s for sure. The situation actually ended up better than I could have ever imagined. 

After it was all said and done I said to myself, “Self, you really need to get a grip.”

A grip on God that is – cause He certainly has a grip on us. 

“Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus”. Philippians 4:6-7

Every school year, my 9th grade English classes participate in a Personal Narrative Essay unit as a standard part of the curriculum.  I like to teach this unit at the beginning of the school year because I gain a little insight into the inner workings of my kiddos when I read their completed essays. They brainstorm about events in their life that have made a significant impact, and then they describe the impact in detail in the last paragraph of their paper.  The stories can range from something as simple as getting hit in the face with a football to a family falling apart.  I laugh.  I cry.  But I thank God for each student placed in my care for the school year and their willingness to share something personal with me in these assignments.

Every year, before we begin the writing process, I share a personal story with them.  I usually share the story of the West Brook bus accident that occurred in 2006 and how it significantly impacted my own life.  I share with them that I accepted Christ as my personal Lord and Savior when I was 12 years old, but that I didn’t start acting like it until I was 27 and didn’t die in a bus accident.  I go on to tell them some details about my teenage years and early twenties that reveal to my students some of the incredibly bad choices I made during those years of my life.  I end up letting them know that I believe God spoke to me after the tragic day of the accident and said, “I’m not done with you yet.  You have a job to do.”  And then I tell them that I didn’t feel worthy to do a job for God–not after all the mistakes I’ve made in my life.  No way!  He couldn’t use ME!  I’ve made too many mistakes!

Oh, but friends, He did!  It doesn’t matter how many mistakes you have made, or how many times you think you are to a point where God can no longer use you for His kingdom.  The Bible illustrates how God uses flawed individuals to accomplish His purposes, emphasizing that perfection is not required for God to work through someone. Figures like Noah, Moses, and Saul demonstrate this truth.

Noah, despite his faithfulness in building the ark (Genesis 6) and leading his family through the flood, fell into sin through drunkenness (Genesis 9:20-21). However, his legacy remains one of remarkable faith (Hebrews 11:7). Moses, despite his initial reluctance and past mistakes, such as murder (Exodus 2:12), was chosen by God to lead Israel out of Egypt. His endurance and commitment to God’s plan are highlighted in Hebrews 11:25, where it is said that Moses chose to suffer with God’s people rather than enjoy the fleeting pleasures of sin. Saul, who persecuted Christians, was dramatically transformed after encountering Christ on the road to Damascus. He became Paul, a devoted apostle who endured great hardships for the sake of the Gospel (Acts 26:9-11). His story reminds us that God can redeem and repurpose anyone, regardless of their past.

Ephesians 1:7 underscores the message of redemption, stating that through Christ’s sacrifice, we receive forgiveness and grace. Similarly, Paul’s reflection in 1 Corinthians 15:9-11 highlights that God’s grace can transform even the least worthy into powerful instruments for His glory.

Be encouraged today that God wants you to share your own personal narrative with people because He delights in using imperfect people for His purposes, offering hope that He can use anyone willing to humble themselves and embrace His grace. 

I’m in what many call, “the best years of life.” My friends are all getting engaged and planning their weddings, pumpkin spice is back on the racks, I’m close to graduating college, and the world is still “my oyster.” I have the fearful excitement of figuring out my future career, my village of people, and the places, states, and areas that will be involved in my story.

While I see this time mostly as joyful and fun, I can’t dismiss God’s timing in orchestrating my steps in the plan He has for me. 

These impending life changes have been the purpose behind a good amount of prayers. Most of these have gone unanswered, and that’s okay – I know He’s working for my good and is withholding these answers for a reason. Yet, there’s one prayer He’s answered, and it was with this:

 “In due time.”

Imagine spilling your heart out to God and this is what you’re answered with. Three little words, the largest consisting of four letters, and all you can think is, “umm, I’m sorry…what? What does that even mean?” 

If you thought this, you and I are brain twins! This was my response! I was confused and had no idea what God was trying to get through my thick head, so I went to His Word to clear up my confusion (works every time;)). 

I found this phrase in Galatians 6:9, which says, “Let us not lose heart, for in due time we will reap if we do not grow weary.” The ESV puts it this way, “And let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up.”

After I read the verse, those three words didn’t feel so small anymore. 

I don’t know what you’re going through, I don’t know what season you’re in. I don’t know what prayers you’re praying or challenges you’re facing. What I do know is this: 

• God is good, seasons change, and we are to keep on keeping on.

Don’t grow weary in doing good, don’t grow tired of having faith in the “unanswered” moments. 

Don’t grow weary of sticking with the Word in an anti-Word world. Let your future self thank you for preserving through the tough times. You got it, and God’s got you! 

Now treat yourself to a cookie – you deserve it:))

Living in the moment! 

It’s easy to get caught up in the business of life or to always look forward to the next big or exciting thing, event, or day. But when we do that we can easily miss out on the sweet day to day memories or the sweet slow moments. 

I often find myself wondering where the time went, or just recently wondering how August went by so fast. But then the Lord reminds me that the time isn’t going any faster, I’m just not noticing it enough. 

Slow down. 

Be still for a little bit. 

In those moments where you finally have time to breathe – thank the Lord for those moments.

When we rush through the day to day we could be missing out on opportunities the Lord is giving us to share the Gospel. Maybe there was a person at Walmart who needed someone to smile and say hi to them. Instead they just got a busy person trying to get groceries and leave as soon as possible. 

If we slow down, maybe we will realize that time isn’t actually going by all that fast. We just are finally noticing the little blessings in between the big ones. 

Maybe, if we all slow down, we will be able to notice the little things in our day to day that God is calling us to. He is always on time, He is never rushing, or running ahead. He is walking with you in the day to day, so stay on pace with Him. 

You are the salt of the earth, but if salt has lost its taste, how shall its saltiness be restored? It is no longer good for anything except to be thrown out and trampled under people’s feet. You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden. Nor do people light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a stand, and it gives light to all in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven.

Matthew 5:13-16

“Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, in everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.”

I Thessalonians 5:16-18 NKJV

(If you know me I have been hung up on these verses for awhile)

Plans

I’m a planner. I like to at least have a general plan on how the day, week, month and really if I’m honest how the rest of my life in general is  going to go. 

The Lord has been teaching me that things won’t always go according to my plan. Unfortunately it seems I’m a super slow learner. I have a tendency to dig my heels in and try to force the plan. Let’s compare that to a few stories in the Bible and see their responses. 

Jesus prays not His will, but the Father’s. Mary questioned Gabriel when he told her she would be the mother of Jesus. She asked “How will this be?”, but then surrendered as a servant of the Lord. Abraham never seemed to question, but Sarah thought she could help with the plan (please don’t let me be like Sarah). The apostle Paul didn’t have much choice, Noah built the boat which probably wasn’t on his to do list. Gideon was a hot mess, whined about his current situation and needed multiple confirmations.

(It’s me. I am Gideon 😢). You can probably list a few more. 

They may have questioned the plan, they may have needed confirmation, but they carried out the plan. They gave up what they thought life would look like and did what the Lord asked of them. 

Lord help me to follow these examples and do Your will and not mine. Help me to rejoice always and not be so dead set on things going my way, when Your way is so much better. 🙏🏻

Things in our daily life go downhill all the time. This world is so crazy. 

Two things you have to do are trust and believe. Trust that God knows what He’s doing, and believe that you are enough to fulfill God’s purposes no matter the struggle. 

Roman’s 8:18 – “The pain that you’ve been feeling can’t compare to the joy that’s coming”. This is one of the verses I live by, and am always keeping in mind when I face a hardship in life. 

What you think is the worst, something you can never recover from, is never the worst. Nothing is ever bad enough to give up and end it. 

With every downfall in life, God brings something that will help you  understand why it happened, and something to help you grow from it. 

Stay positive and keep going, it’s what God wants, I can promise you that.