God has a plan for me…

When your world gets rocked I appreciate that everyone has a different way of coping – some people will completely lose faith, some will go searching for it but ultimately people find hope in anything that gives them just that. This is not meant to be preachy but just an honest insight into where my heart is and where I find my hope.

I was born and brought up in a loving Christian home, dedicated in church as a baby and voluntarily took adult baptism when I was 16 years old. Although looking back on it, my baptism was probably more out of a sense of duty rather than my closeness with God… Let me be very clear about something, I have always believed in God and I have always loved God but hand on heart, I have treated my faith like a menu card – I pick and choose what I want, when I want. I conveniently forget things which I know are right and wrong in my heart when it doesn’t suit me and I always think I’ll have time to make things right with God. I’m fired up on a Sunday when I come out of church and carry that through to Monday and possibly Tuesday but come Thursday, Friday and Saturday it’s easier to leave God at home and live by the world’s rules – Sam the convenient christian! Wow… that wasn’t easy to admit!

Tuesday 4th February changed all that. My faith went from part time to full time over night! I would be lying if I said I’m not scared – scared about what could be, scared about how much time I have but in my weakness He is strong. He takes away my fear and replaces it with a peace that He’s got me… not just me but he’s got my whole family – “death has no hold on me cause your grace holds me now” lyrics by one of my favourite songs by Hillsong.

I guess when time feels like a precious commodity you’re left with a choice… How am I going to use this time? Worrying and wasting my energy on things I can’t change…or focus on what’s important, being happy and how I actually want to live. I want to spend each day serving a much greater purpose whilst being the best husband/dad/son/uncle etc. I’m laying all my problems and fears at the feet of God and I’m getting on with spending time with my family, friends and spreading positivity to those around me. Don’t get me wrong, I haven’t worked it all out, but i’m trusting the big guy to guide me – whether that’s just giving my time to people, writing more music, supporting families practically or through prayer…I can and I will do more. There is a song that I listen to every single day in my good moments and bad moments by Elevation Worship called My Testimony and these words ring in my head “If I’m not dead, you’re not done – greater things are still to come, Oh I believe”, Amen.