On Faith and Fresh Starts

I just began a new Bible study last night. The topic? Faith. After having flaked out on the last part of my study of Daniel, I felt hopeful and invigorated being able to start afresh with a new, simpler book. Simple but rich, potent and life-transforming, as is all of God's word -- and all of His words! With the words "Let there be," he created this stunning world that fills even the atheist with wonder of how it came to be. And with His words He is creating and recreating wonders in me and in the lives of those who receive His word as the truth that it is.

The woman who wrote the lessons in "Walking by Faith," Jennifer Rothschild, has been blind since she was 17 years of age. Never would she have learned to lean on a guide if she could see. Likewise as we encounter the dark, scary places in our lives, we find ourselves sitting in the classroom of faith! It is in that darkness we learn to lean, to trust in the One who can see all things.

It was good to be with my Bible again this morning. And with my ladies last night at Bible study. Thankfully God is merciful and gracious, so gracious, and keeps giving me fresh starts each day regarding my learning to lean on Him and trust in Him who I cannot see versus the circumstances I am in, which I can see.

Lord, God, who wants to be my guide, thank you, thank you for Your word that carved canyons, created sky and wind and flowers and life. May your word form me into all that you want to create in me so that I, like your creation around me, may be shown Who You are and display to others Who You are. I never thought I'd say this, but thank You for the lessons learned in the dark, for it was there I was taught to depend on You rather than on what I could or could not see. And for those mercies that are new each and every morning, I am so grateful to You. I can't wait to see what You have to teach me in this new study. Make me faithful to expose myself to the power and potency of Your Word that breathes life into me.