faith - Ellen Chauvin | Soaked & Sprouting

Houston, We Have a Jumper!

October 15, 2015 by Ellen 28 Comments

{Today’s guest is Boma Somiari. Boma is editor of THE MESSAGE, which is published by the women’s fellowship of WEGOM (World-wide Evangelism Gospel Outreach Ministries), a non-denominational evangelistic organization in Nigeria. Boma works whole heartedly for the Lord, and has a heart to spread the Gospel of Jesus Christ as far and wide as she can. Please pray for Boma and her ministry.}

Jump. Just jump.

I could have sworn I didn’t think that thought voluntarily! To say it got my attention would be stating the obvious, but after it took up residence in my mind (and without my permission), we then had a problem that needed to be addressed.

Dear Jesus, I don’t mind taking that leap, but I don’t see where I’m headed – and that’s what the problem is!

Ok, so I know about walking by faith and not by sight, but did you ever wonder what the disciples must have felt as the ship was tossed with waves in the midst of the sea? And then they thought they saw a ghost approaching them!

Where are You, Lord?

Yes, I know about having faith like a child: That same faith that made Peter leave the boat as soon as he heard the Lord bid him come. Faith that does not take reason into account. Faith to trust and obey even when you have no idea what’s going on – or where you’re headed after you jump.

This is the kind of faith that’s required of those who follow Jesus, and especially those blessed with a call to serve.

We walk with the Lord, but no, it’s not always peaches, roses and sunshine, and sometimes the night gets very long.

Then there are those days when you’ve given of yourself – and more – and it’s still not enough. Like, we’re still people, people! (Does anyone get why this is so hard to see sometimes?)

We still trust, obey and follow though, because of the One in whom we have faith; the One who has called us.

There are times when a day is a long time to take it by – then we go by moments:
A moment at a time.

Because whatever we do, we must not give up.

The work would be done – and we cannot fail.

People need to hear about Jesus.

Children need to be fed, clothed and educated.

We are indeed salt of the earth, and salt that has lost its savour is good for nothing, but to be cast out, and to be trodden under foot of men.

We cannot fail.

So pray for me please, as I stand, fingers crossed, holding my breath – you thought right – I’m about to take that leap.

Or better still, let’s stand together, holding and encouraging one another – and just take that leap.

Even though sometimes I forget, I know as sure as the air I’m breathing right now that we’re headed somewhere – and we cannot go too wrong because underneath are the everlasting arms.

Boma and I love to hear your thoughts! Everyone who comments on her post this week, will be entered to win a copy of David Jeremiah’s Quest Daily Devotional. Shower Boma with your love and comments! Winner to be announced next week.

Boma Somiari was born and raised in Port Harcourt, capital city of Rivers State in southern Nigeria. Her writing has appeared in various publications including The Message, a study magazine for women which she now manages as editor. She has been involved in preparing Bible study materials for children, and is currently working on a publication that seeks to encourage daily Bible reading and true devotion to God among youths. Her other interests include music, cooking, and crafts.
She blogs at The April Journal (www.theapriljournalblog.wordpress.com)

How to Survive a Hurricane

July 24, 2015 by Ellen 12 Comments

We’re in the middle of hurricane season in south Louisiana. In a really strong wind, I’ve seen towering water oaks toppled like sticks, due to their shallow root system. Sometimes, we don’t realize how deep our roots are, until a storm comes.

I had a major life altering storm four years ago. It threw me. My mom suffered a stroke, and two months later passed away. It wasn’t her death that was so surprising. Mama was 85 and had health problems. What shocked me, rocked me and tossed me around in hurricane strength winds, was how lost I felt after she was gone. Like those large water oaks, I was toppled.

But I didn’t break. As the storm raged, my roots dug deeper into Jesus Christ, and He held me firm. Although it took some time, I was finally able to grab those roots when I needed them most. I dug my fingers into the depths of the tangled root ball, and held on for dear life.

Be firmly rooted.

A strong root system nourishes the plant. Christ nourishes me. During that storm, I drank in His words to soothe my aching heart. I filled myself with Him. I devoured His word. The roots I have in Him provided strength for the hurricane force emotions I had.

Plants are anchored by a strong root system. I was anchored in Christ. My roots dug deeper and wrapped around Him while the storm whipped around me. I was battered by those winds of grief, but I was never uprooted. His roots anchored me.

Be firmly rooted.

We will have storms in our lives. Jesus said in John 16:33 that we will have tribulation and trouble in this world. Be prepared for it. Paul warned the church at Thessalonica that troubles would come, and we are destined for them (1 Thessalonians 3:3-4).

Be. Firmly. Rooted.

Let your roots grow down into Him, and let your lives be built on Him. Then your faith will grow strong in the truth you were taught, and you will overflow with thankfulness. Colossians 2:7 (NLT)

Do your circumstances feel like a hurricane? Are the Category 4 winds knocking you about? Maybe, like me, you’ve suffered the loss of a loved one. Maybe you’re grieving the death of your marriage. Perhaps you’ve lost your job and the financial burdens are piling up.

Be. Firmly. Rooted.

Dig your roots deep into Christ. Siphon your nourishment from Him. Anchor yourself in His word. Though you may be whipped around and tossed about, though you may bend, you will not break. Your faith will grow strong.

Here’s what I’ve seen after a hurricane: In a group of tall trees, the storm blew some of them over. But they weren’t uprooted and they didn’t fall to the ground. They fell into the trees next to them. They were supported by the other trees. As we strengthen ourselves in Jesus, and build the foundation of our lives on Him, we can encourage and support others going through a storm. We can nurture them as their roots grow deeper in Christ.

Let’s be firmly rooted in Christ!

Until next week,