When I started this blog almost two years ago, it was with the intent of documenting my journey from Mormonism to Christianity. As I continued to post, it became less about my journey and more about perfection. I felt that if what I was going to post wasn’t perfect, then I couldn’t submit the post. It finally felt like too much work to even continue the blog especially since I was learning a new job at work and could barely keep my home in order. By the time I had a few minutes to sit down and post, I didn’t want to have to research the next post. I forgot that this blog was about my journey and not what information I could spout.
Although it is important to know what Mormons believe and have the facts, the facts are not what are going to reach a person who is blinded by Mormonism. After all, a Mormon is told from day one not to read “anti-Mormon” material and considers any of the information that we give them to be propaganda. So we have to reach them in other ways. First of all, you have to build a relationship of trust with the individual you want to pull from Mormonism. But that is for a later post. Right now, I want to explain my long absence.
This summer has just disappeared. In July, I ran my first 5k and enjoyed it so much I signed up for two more which I completed at the beginning of this month. It is amazing to me how appropriate Paul’s use of running a race as an example in Galatians 2:2 & 5:7, 1 Corinthians 9:24, and Hebrews 12:1. One thing I noticed during each of my races, was that there were points where I wanted to just give up and not continue. But by focusing on the goal, I was able to continue and finish the race. The other thing I realized, was that I have been really out of shape and I should have prepared for the races a bit better before signing up for them. In that way, it is a lot like what I was trying to do with this blog.
I was new to the true faith of Christ, and instead of taking the time to study God's Word, I was trying to post after a manner of individuals who had been true Christians much longer than I have. There were many posts that I threw out simply because they did not fit what I felt was appropriate for a Christian blog. In fact, you may have noticed, I started posting other items such as my daily Grace Gems instead of creating my own post. It is not surprising that a few challenges coming along caused me to buckle and stop posting. I apologize for taking shortcuts and trying to look like I am further along in my understanging of Christianity. After all, my original intent for this blog was to show the creation God is making in me as I walk the Christian path and not to show how much I know about Christianity. I hope that going forward I can throw my sin of perfectionism aside and simply blog as God permits.
There is a song that is one of my favorites right now. It is called, “Sometimes He Calms the Storm” by Scott Kripayne. Through this beautiful song, God has reminded me that sometimes we have to go through things that we consider to be difficult at the time because it meets His purpose whether we can see it or not. I am not sure that I have come through many of these struggles as gracefully as others I know who have gone through much harder difficulties than I have, but I know that God has had a reason for it and hopefully I am growing in Him.
All who sail the sea of faith
Find out before too long
How quickly blue skies can grow dark
And gentle winds grow strong
Suddenly fear is like white water
Pounding on the soul
Still we sail on knowing
That our Lord is in control
Sometimes He calms the storm
With a whispered peace be still
He can settle any sea
But it doesn't mean He will
Sometimes He holds us close
And lets the wind and waves go wild
Sometimes He calms the storm
And other times He calms His child
He has a reason for each trial
That we pass through in life
And though we're shaken
We cannot be pulled apart from Christ
No matter how the driving rain beats down
On those who hold to faith
A heart of trust will always
Be a quiet peaceful place
