Believing is Powerful
Written by Teresa Tiggs, Stark County Drop-In Coordinator
John 3:16 – For God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten son, that whosoever believeth in Him shall not perish but have everlasting life.
Believe-Â to have confidence in the truth, the existence, or the reliability of something without absolute proof that one is right in doing so.
Believing is one of the most powerful states of mind that we can possess.
The women we serve at the RAHAB Drop-In Homes often struggle with Believing. The truth is, they haven’t had much to believe in most of their lives.
When I think about Believing and I read the Christmas story, I can’t help but look at the story that happened 6 months before. The story where the angel Gabriel told Mary that she had found favor with God and that she would conceive and give birth to the Messiah. This particular story truly highlights the importance of believing.
Gabriel first stopped by to visit a man named Zechariah, whose wife desired to give him a son. Due to the age of Zechariah and his wife Elizabeth, and after much heartache and disappointment from past attempts, Zechariah had a hard time believing the news that Gabriel shared with him, and because of his unbelief, he was unable to speak until the day came that his son, John the Baptist was born.
When virgin Mary was approached by the same angel 6 months later, Gabriel shared with her that unto her a child would be born and the government would rest upon his shoulders and he would be called, wonderful counselor, mighty God, Everlasting Father, and Prince of Peace. He also shared with her that her cousin Elizabeth was with child as well, and Mary received the news with a true heart of belief and headed to congratulate Elizabeth. When Mary came into close proximity to Elizabeth, John the Baptist leapt inside of her womb and was filled with the Holy Spirit which came from Jesus who dwelt inside of Mary.
The staff here at RAHAB couldn’t do our jobs, if we didn’t believe. We believe that every woman we encounter and invite into relationship will have the opportunity to sit in the presence of Jesus, because he dwells inside of us. He dwells inside of the Drop-In Homes. We believe that every time they come into these spaces and sit in his presence, seeds will be planted, and stoney hearts will begin to become hearts of flesh as they experience more and more about a God who is Love and lives among them.
1 Peter 1:8-9 – Though you have not seen Him, you love Him; though not seeing Him now, you believe in Him, and you rejoice with inexpressible and glorious joy because you are receiving the goal of your faith, the salvation of your souls.
It is an honor to sit with these women and rejoice in this holiday season because many of them are experiencing glorious joy for the first time in a very long time, if ever.