Have you ever been in a situation where God allowed your faith to be tested in a drastic way? Well if you haven’t just yet, I say to you when that time does come, trust in God’s plan and persevere through the trials that He has given to you. I say this because in my first semester at seminary, God allowed my own faith to be tested in ways, which caused me to go deeper into prayer and to rely on God more than I ever have in my entire life. But while persevering through these trials, God brought me into a deeper communication with Him, and it was through this relationship that my love for God grew in such a way that even words cannot describe. Yes, I know that when we go through dissolute times, it is hard to find God; but even in the darkest moments of our lives, God is always present, speaking to us in simple ways within our hearts telling us to look at Him on the Cross, and see that there is light at the end of the dark tunnel.
Not only does God speak to us in our own hearts, but He also uses little signs to show us that He hears our prayers. I remember in the beginning of the semester I doubted that I even belonged in seminary. I felt like I was not going to be able to perform academically; and because of this, I worried that I was not good enough to be a seminarian. So I went to the chapel and I broke down crying, while I prayed. I started to ask God to help me and to give me a sign if I am truly meant to be in seminary. Sure enough, later that night God answered my prayer. While I was scrolling on the Facebook news feed, a post came up and it said, “I did not place you were you are just to abandon you. –Love God.” Now most people might think that this is just a coincidence, but for me I don’t believe in coincidences. I only believe in God-incidences. I believe that God uses little signs like this one to help lift us up in the dissolute times, but we only need to open our eyes because God speaks to us everyday in many different ways.
I know it is hard to live a life like Christ, but God gives you the graces to do so. If you submit yourself to God’s will, no matter how uncomfortable that might be for you, He will bless you abundantly. Know that God will never place you where His grace cannot sustain you. Know that it is in those trials of tribulation that you are growing closer to Christ. Yes, sometimes we might lose all hope and just throw in the towel. But I say to you at that moment give it to Christ and ask Him to carry your cross with you, and you will be able to persevere through dissolute times. In those dark moments look to the Cross, and know that Christ Himself already conquered sin and death.
“Blessed is the man who perseveres under trial, because when he has stood the test, he will receive the crown of life God has promised to those who love him.” -James 1:12
“Do not be afraid of what you are about to suffer. I tell you, the devil will put some of you in prison to test you, and you will suffer persecution for ten days. Be faithful, even to the point of death, and I will give you the crown of life.” –Revelation 2:10
Ryan Meehan
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