INDfamily

THE WILDER LIFE: What do you believe?

by Amanda Bedgood

This is not a test. This is life.

For a couple of months now I hear the voice of God asking "what do you believe?" When I quote scripture, when I pray, when I face the obstacles of life - my voice speaks the truth. "Yes, I hear your words. But, what do you believe?"

Because these are the times we do the walking. The times when words are simply one part. Where the evidence and the proof of what truly lies in the heart cannot be denied. This is not a test. This is life.

Today my heart is heavy not for myself but for communities mourning. If you live in Lafayette you have heard of and likely even prayed for Baby Bennett. Yesterday in Sunday School we lifted up a prayer as the family learned the cancer had taken a turn for the worse and this morning in my FB feed I see a post from his parents that their precious baby has gone to live in heaven - "only the cancer died today. But Bennett went to his new life in Heaven ..."

What do you believe?

In my home state of Arkansas, 16 people were killed and two towns ravaged by tornados last night.

What do you believe?

Parts of Mayflower and Vilonia are in ruins. Homes and businesses are nothing but rubble and others remained untouched.

What do you believe?

My newsfeed this morning is full of scriptures just for a time such as this. Words of thanks and words of encouragement. Words of condolence and sympathy.

But, what do you believe?

There are times it's hard to even say the words of thanks, to quote the scripture and we do it anyway. But what does my heart say? In the dark. In the depths. Where only me and God Himself see. What do I believe?

I believe in God. I believe He has a plan. I believe He has a purpose. I believe that God is love. And love conquers all. I believe in this world there is pain and He has overcome this world. And I believe that there are some things I will never know and that I will never understand this side of heaven. And I believe that is okay. I believe we have free will. I believe He is in control. And I know that my mind cannot always reconcile that truth.

I believe Jesus came and died and rose again. For me. For you. And I believe that He is able. Above all and beyond all. Through it all. He is able. No matter what.

These things are far easier to say when the sea is calm and when the reports are good. When your house is intact and your child sleeps in the next room. But, the storms make the truth no less true and the pain makes God no less real and no less able.

This is what I believe.

The cover photo for the Pray For Bennett Facebook page. After months of prayer

from around the world, Lafayette's Bennett Coleman died in the early hours of

Monday morning. Click here to read the blog of the Coleman family's journey.