Believing Vs. Depending

There is a difference between believing in someone and depending on someone. Webster states belief as something someone accepts to be true, to have firm faith in. The dictionary defines dependence as something someone relies on, to place their trust in. Since accepting Christ as my savior, I have believed in him. However, it wasn’t until I came to Africa that I realized for the first time in my life, I didn’t depend on Christ, until now at least.

Christ calls us to not only believe in him but to depend on him, in every aspect of our lives. I am just now learning the importance of this concept at 23 years old. Over the years I have depended on my family for encouragement, love, and support. I have looked to my friends for fun and fulfillment and I have turned to guys for acceptance. I have put my worth in worldly standards (which are so overrated, by the way) and listened to the lies of Satan for far too long. When I came to Kenya everything I just mentioned was slowly stripped away from me, which fortunately, for my sake, has forced me to turn to Christ and depend on him whole heartedly.

When I’ve felt weak after a long day of work, the Lord has been my strength. When I’ve felt scared while walking down slum streets, Christ has been my safe haven. When I’ve felt frustrated from the many culture differences, Christ has kept me sane. There is something so beautiful about depending on Christ and placing our trust in him. Not only do I find everything I need in Christ but I find freedom in him. I am free from people, Satan, and the world itself. My parents can’t come to Africa to cheer me up when I’m down, my friends can’t understand what I’m experiencing every day, and a guy is never going to fully make me happy but God is! Emmanuel is all I need and all I’ll ever need. I am so in love with the one who made me and I thank him for this beautiful life he has given me. I count it joy to depend on Christ!