Anyone interested in how to change your life? As I told you recently, I don’t “collect” things anymore. Except for one thing. And collecting this one thing has made such a difference in my life. In fact, I can truly say it has changed my life in ways I never expected.
Collecting is in my genes. I think my parents handed us kids a stamp album when we were preschoolers. Then came the coin books, one after the other. On vacations, we learned the thrill of the hunt as our trusty Chevrolet stopped at city banks to exchange our rolls of pennies for new ones. Then we’d eagerly sort through each roll searching for buried treasure: that illusive 1909S VDB penny–or some other rare coin. We never found it.
When we were old enough to send correspondence, we’d fire out letters to purchase used stamps with our small allowances. We’d never fill up those albums, but we had fun trying.
Then, as an adult following my mom’s example, I’d eventually add to my collections : pretty dishes, antiques, dolls–and yes, even those famous Ty® Beanie Babies. My reasoning? The investment would pay great dividends one day. Right?
Hmm. Maybe a little, now and then.
I can say some of my collections increased my knowledge of history and other people. But I can’t really recommend any of them as something that will change your life in dramatic ways.
Almost all of those collections are gone now. In fact, I haven’t “collected” anything in over twenty years.
Except one thing.
I’d already been accumulating it and didn’t even realize it. But when I started to collect this one thing intentionally, what a difference it began to make in my life!
Even if you consider yourself a minimalist and pride yourself in collecting nothing, I am encouraging you to start doing this one thing.
I’m talking about collecting the faithfulness of God. How in the world can you do that? I’m so glad you asked.
How to Collect the Faithfulness of God and Change Your Life
Here are three simple ways you can collect the faithfulness of God and allow it to change your life:
Remember His Faithfulness
Our Thanksgiving holiday and Christmas seasons always remind us of God’s blessings and goodness. We’re aware of His faithfulness through the years, and if we slow down long enough to allow that remembrance, we can see how those memories will affect our attitudes and actions positively.
If you want to do a fun study, look up all the times God said, “Remember.” And all the things He remembers.
Record His Faithfulness
But those two holidays are not enough. In order to change your life dramatically, it helps to write and record His faithfulness daily. Buy a small notebook, or make notes each day on your smart phone. Even if you’re young, don’t trust your memory for everything. When God wanted His followers in Scripture to remember Him and His blessings, He told them to build memorials and create reminders. No, not statues. Not stone idols that replace His presence in your life. Not collections that replace Him.
Inevitably, He commanded them to write it on their hearts permanently. The only way I know to do that is to spend time praying and reading God’s Word daily, to watch for His activity in my life and others, and to be aware constantly of His voice, His blessings, and His answered prayers. And then to write those down. Today I was reading in Isaiah and was particularly impressed with these words: (1) Pay attention; (2) Come to Me; and (3) Listen. (Isaiah 55:3 HCSB).
Sometimes to do that successfully, we have to hit the “pause” button in life, pay attention to the interruptions God allows, invite Him to invade our lives, and then listen. Having trouble hearing or discerning God’s voice? I wrote a couple of blog posts that have been two of my most popular ones with readers, called Eight Ways God Speaks to Us Today, then I followed up with Eight Ways God Speaks to Us Today – Part 2. If you haven’t read them in a while, they might give you some perspective on listening and hearing God.
Replay His Faithfulness
Whether it’s a football game or favorite movie, we might hit the pause button on our TV remote and play back a part we missed. That’s the same idea I’m talking about here. In order to collect God’s faithfulness, we need to replay His actions, His character, and His activities constantly. Go back over the things you’ve read and written down. Replay all the times when God was faithful to you, times when you were especially aware of His presence. Rehearse them until you know them by heart. Need further help?
Examples of God’s Faithfulness that Can Change Your Life
Remember, record and replay these things often:
- Times when God answered your prayers
- Crises when God delivered you
- Lessons God taught you about yourself, life, or others
- Stories of His awesome power in the Bible and in life today
- Times when God rescued you from trouble
- Moments when God’s angels protected you from danger
- Gifts and blessings God has given you
- Grace God has poured down on you
- Forgiveness God has unconditionally granted you and the sorrow He’s turned to joy
- Promises God has given to you and fulfilled
- God’s love and the Gift of His Son, Jesus, Who died for you–the One Who can truly change your life.
And that’s just the beginning.
God Is Faithful
God is faithful. You know by now that’s the theme of my life. My husband and I–even our children–stake our lives on that truth. And it is our supreme joy and privilege to collect His faithfulness daily. We’ve discovered, as I’m sure you will or have, too, that both His faithfulness and our intentionality in collecting evidence of His faithfulness is what has changed and is changing all our lives. Remembering, recording, and replaying His faithfulness affects us all in different ways–but they’re all good.
I hope dong this will change your life too.
“Remember the things I have done in the past. For I alone am God! I am God, and there is none like me” (Isaiah 46:9 NLT).
But then I recall all you have done, O Lord; I remember your wonderful deeds of long ago (Psalm 77:11 NLT).
God will do this, for he is faithful to do what he says, and he has invited you into partnership with his Son, Jesus Christ our Lord (1 Corinthians 1:9 NLT).
It’s Your Turn
Would you take this challenge? Would you start collecting evidence of the faithfulness of God in your life? I’d love to hear how it’s changing your life. In fact, I’d love to hear from you anytime. You can always write me through my contact page. Just fill out the basic name and address info, and then the e-mail will come to me. Your name or info is not shared with anyone.
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