With the holiday season in full swing, millions of people experience a renewed sense of spirituality and faith. Whether it's through attending church services, reflecting on the birth of Christ, or engaging in acts of kindness, the holiday season often sparks a deeper connection to God and faith-based practices. But what drives this seasonal surge in belief and religious engagement?
I had a chance to interview Sandra Smith, renowned Christian author and speaker, and author of the critically acclaimed book I Am Saved, Now Where Do I Go?
Why do holidays often trigger a renewed focus on faith and religion?
Holidays such as Christmas and Easter point to Jesus, He is the whole reason for the season. Whether some people want to face that reality, deep down something tells them that it is true. But, you either love someone or you don't, in a relationship there is no middle ground. That is the same with God, you either love Him or you don't. He is either your main focus or pleasing your flesh is. God knows our hearts, and He knows if we are sincere; He knows lip service.
Some people go to church during the holiday season because they know its purpose. For those that it makes them truly change, they are blessed. It doesn't matter what makes them think about their faith and renewing it, what matters is they do.
Why are reflection and gratitude such a big component of spirituality?
Reflection and gratitude are such a big component of spirituality because it takes your mind off of yourself and think about our Father in heaven and how much He truly loves you and what an awesome
show of mercy, grace, forgiveness, and unconditional love it took to sacrifice Jesus for OUR sins. In that, it draws you closer to God.
How can traditions and charity strengthen a sense of spirituality?
By keeping the focus on God and why you are doing it. You do it to represent Him. If you are doing it for accolades, then you do it for the wrong reason.
We love, because He first loved us and gave Himself for us. His love is so overwhelming, He is so faithful, even when we are not that we should want to be His hands, feet, voice and heart
to those who are in need.
What happens after the holidays? How can people continue deepening their sense of spiritual renewal?
By staying close to God daily, and spending time with Him in your own personal devotion time. If you never speak to your loved ones, that relationship will suffer.
So it is with our relationship with God. It does not have to be hours, just quality time with Him. When you don't you miss out on so much. He wants to speak to you. Do you give Him time?
Tell us about I Am Saved, Now Where Do I Go?
It is a group of bible studies on various topics. The topics are, being sure you are saved, beginning your walk in Christ, spiritual growth, spiritual warfare, and the blessings of God. Within each topic are various studies dealing with that topic. The Pastor cannot be with someone day in and day out, so this is to help people stay victorious and they walk out their faith daily.
Why did you write it?
I'm Saved did not start out as a book. I love reading the bible as as I went through 20 years of abuse and the loss of my 16-year-old son, the Bible is what helped me. God spoke to me through reading it
and it came alive to me; it pierced my heart and I began to heal. God gave me the strength and the reason to go on through the words of the Bible.
As I read, the Holy Spirit would whisper into my heart that there is a bible study in the passage I was reading, I started typing, and before I knew it I had typed several pages.
What should readers walk away with?
God provided everything we need through His word to help us in our trials. He gave us promises to stand on and bring us hope. He gave us HIS WORD to pray and believe on. His Word created the world and with His Spirit in us, it is just as powerful when we speak it and pray it in faith. I hope this book draws the reader into a closer relationship with God and with a deeper desire to read the Bible.
How can you help people who face questions about their faith?
Pray and ask God; He is a big God and He can take their doubts. The word says, "Ask and you shall receive." The only way to find answers to their doubts and their questions is to go to source and ask.
He will answer
Holidays such as Christmas and Easter point to Jesus, He is the whole reason for the season. Whether some people want to face that reality, deep down something tells them that it is true. But, you either love someone or you don't, in a relationship there is no middle ground. That is the same with God, you either love Him or you don't. He is either your main focus or pleasing your flesh is. God knows our hearts, and He knows if we are sincere; He knows lip service.
Some people go to church during the holiday season because they know its purpose. For those that it makes them truly change, they are blessed. It doesn't matter what makes them think about their faith and renewing it, what matters is they do.
Why are reflection and gratitude such a big component of spirituality?
Reflection and gratitude are such a big component of spirituality because it takes your mind off of yourself and think about our Father in heaven and how much He truly loves you and what an awesome
show of mercy, grace, forgiveness, and unconditional love it took to sacrifice Jesus for OUR sins. In that, it draws you closer to God.
How can traditions and charity strengthen a sense of spirituality?
By keeping the focus on God and why you are doing it. You do it to represent Him. If you are doing it for accolades, then you do it for the wrong reason.
We love, because He first loved us and gave Himself for us. His love is so overwhelming, He is so faithful, even when we are not that we should want to be His hands, feet, voice and heart
to those who are in need.
What happens after the holidays? How can people continue deepening their sense of spiritual renewal?
By staying close to God daily, and spending time with Him in your own personal devotion time. If you never speak to your loved ones, that relationship will suffer.
So it is with our relationship with God. It does not have to be hours, just quality time with Him. When you don't you miss out on so much. He wants to speak to you. Do you give Him time?
Tell us about I Am Saved, Now Where Do I Go?
It is a group of bible studies on various topics. The topics are, being sure you are saved, beginning your walk in Christ, spiritual growth, spiritual warfare, and the blessings of God. Within each topic are various studies dealing with that topic. The Pastor cannot be with someone day in and day out, so this is to help people stay victorious and they walk out their faith daily.
Why did you write it?
I'm Saved did not start out as a book. I love reading the bible as as I went through 20 years of abuse and the loss of my 16-year-old son, the Bible is what helped me. God spoke to me through reading it
and it came alive to me; it pierced my heart and I began to heal. God gave me the strength and the reason to go on through the words of the Bible.
As I read, the Holy Spirit would whisper into my heart that there is a bible study in the passage I was reading, I started typing, and before I knew it I had typed several pages.
What should readers walk away with?
God provided everything we need through His word to help us in our trials. He gave us promises to stand on and bring us hope. He gave us HIS WORD to pray and believe on. His Word created the world and with His Spirit in us, it is just as powerful when we speak it and pray it in faith. I hope this book draws the reader into a closer relationship with God and with a deeper desire to read the Bible.
How can you help people who face questions about their faith?
Pray and ask God; He is a big God and He can take their doubts. The word says, "Ask and you shall receive." The only way to find answers to their doubts and their questions is to go to source and ask.
He will answer
No comments:
Post a Comment