Surrounding myself with people of like-minded faith has positively shaped my walk with God and how I interact with the world around me. My faith community has been instrumental in my growth, accountability, and discipleship.
These relationships with those who share my faith have exposed me to challenges and Christian models to follow and not to follow. I am constantly reminded not to become content in my walk with God because it’s an ongoing pursuit. There is no finish line in pursuing God; He’s much too big to know everything about in this lifetime. I choose to focus on seeking him more in ways that are simple and tangible for me.
There are three ways I choose to strengthen my relationship with God.
- I build myself up through worship music. I feel at peace, connected to the vine (God) and in communication with Him.
- I pray. Prayer is another important piece. I love being vulnerable and intimate with God. Often when I can’t put my prayers into words, I just surrender my heart, thoughts, and emotions to Him.
- I read God’s word. As a busy mom of four, designating time for this is often a daily struggle. However, whether I read a scripture, full passage, or watch Superbook with my kids, I cling to the message regardless of its length or depth. These things equip me to encourage myself and others.
I’m a firm believer that your faith community should consist of someone walking above you (a spiritual mentor), next to you (an accountability partner, friend, or someone going through the same stage of life as you), and someone following you (who you are investing in or discipling who may not be a believer, or is a new believer with a ton of questions). I strive to continually grow and live accountability, while serving God and others faithfully. Having these people, who are in different stages of their faith walk, allows me to see faith in action and exercise my own faith.
By having a strong faith community, my walk with God has been changed in the best way! Even in these three little methods, I feel myself getting closer to Him daily. I know that this is a continuous journey, which is why I stress the importance of a faith community. The same way a blood related family works to build and grow, your faith community should, too.
