Isaiah 55:10-11 holds a special place in my heart: "My Word will go forth from the mouth and shall not return to me void, but it will achieve the end for which I sent it." This verse is a comforting reminder that God's Word is strong, lasting, and purposeful. It reassures me that when God speaks, His words are sent out with intention, and they will fulfill their purpose, even when I can't see how.
I remember a pastor who once shared a piece of wisdom that has stayed with me: "Heresy is truth out of balance." This simple yet profound statement made me realize how easy it is to drift away from the truth, not by rejecting it outright but by slowly getting off course. I've immersed much of my life in the Bible, attending church, and listening to wise teachers. Yet, even with all of this, I know how easy it can be to slowly lose sight of the core truths of my faith. It's a gradual process, often unnoticed until one day, you wake up and realize you've wandered far from where you intended to be.
The Pharisees, the religious leaders during Jesus' time, were so focused on the Law that they missed the grace central to God's message. They became so wrapped up in following the rules that they forgot about compassion and mercy. On the flip side, Paul, in his letter to the Romans, addresses a different issue—people taking advantage of grace. Some thought that because God's grace is so abundant, they could keep sinning to make that grace even more visible. Paul's response is clear and firm: "What a dreadful thought!" (Romans 6:1-2). These extremes remind me how crucial it is to keep our faith in balance.
When I lost my daughter, everything I thought I knew was put to the test. The questions I thought I had settled in my mind came rushing back with a new urgency: Is God really good? Is He truly in control? Is Heaven real? Is Jesus' sacrifice enough to cover all sins? Why does God save some people and not others? Why do bad things happen to good people? Does God really love me? These questions, which I thought I had answered long ago, suddenly felt overwhelming and pressing.
I had to turn back to God's Word to find my way. I needed to spend time in Scripture, not just focusing on one verse but looking at the whole message of the Bible. I also had to be honest about my feelings and experiences while asking the Holy Spirit to guide me to the truth. And when I found that truth, I held on to it tightly, refusing to let sorrow and doubt pull me away.
Jesus prayed in John 17:17, "Make them ready for your service through your truth; your word is truth." This verse reminds me that God's Word is an anchor, especially during the most challenging times. The truth sets us apart and gives us the strength to keep going, even in our darkest moments. By holding on to this truth, we can find hope and healing, knowing that God's Word will accomplish its purpose in our lives, bringing us the peace and comfort we need.