"Fortitude Valley is a contradiction in itself – raw, yet sophisticated. It is where elegance and style meet grungy and offbeat, and heritage-listed properties proudly stand among contemporary buildings", as visitbrisbane.com.au best describes it.
It was here that I met a sassy, outgoing lady with dark rings around her eyes. Though she was intoxicated she was quick witted proving to be quite funny. In the early hours of a Saturday morning, we found ourselves chatting on the side of the road.
We were talking about faith and how we know if God actually exists. This was a valid point, one in which many of us have questioned before. We began to discuss faith and how we choose to believe in someone we cannot see. She followed this up by comparing having faith in God to having faith in a Woolworths cotton carrier bag.
In her drunken manner she thought we were absolutely ridiculous and stated that if she puts her faith in the Wooly's bag, then it will be her God because she can see it.
This sounds silly, but actually it got me thinking and we do this all the time. God am I supposed to move churches? Go that university? Marry that guy? Write it in the sky, give me confirmation, tell me in a dream.
It is not wrong to ask but when we do we often begin to doubt what it is that God said to us. We become fixated on that follow up confirmation because when we receive it, it is easier to see the answer.
Hebrews chapter 11 verse 1 says "Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen." Faith meaning "the conviction that God exists and is the Creator and Ruler of all things, the Provider and Bestower of eternal salvation through Christ."
Comparison
Sometimes, maybe it is easier to have faith in a shopping bag. After all we can see it, we know what it is capable of. However, Hebrews 11:1 tells us that faith is believing even when we cannot see. Its believing He is the Ruler of all things, the Provider and the Bestower of eternal salvation, even when we cannot see Him and choose to believe He isn't close.
The difference between the shopping bag and having faith in God is; I can see the depth of that bag. I know right away how much it can hold. Whereas every time I think I know God, He continues to blow me away. Its so exciting to know that we are never going to know God, our friends or even ourselves fully.
This brings me to a thought; are you putting God in a shopping bag? Do you feel you've got the King of the Universe down to a T? Or are you constantly seeking for more, hoping and believing for those things you don't yet see?
I challenge you; if you are comfortable and feel you have things pretty much figured out, ask God to take you deeper, past what you can see. Or if you are the opposite and feel God is not there, ask Him to reveal more of Himself to you.
What I guarantee is; God hasn't left or forgotten you, He is faithful to keep His promises because He desires greater depth with His children.
Rebecca Bowie is a young Christian who is intentionally seeking after Gods heart and striving to love people with everything. Now living in Brisbane Australia, was formerly living in London, England. She's a full-time volunteer at Youth with a Mission.
Rebecca Bowie's previous articles may be viewed at http://www.pressserviceinternational.org/becki-bowie.html