Becoming Her

Sometimes expressing our beliefs can feel uncomfortable. Not because we’re unsure of them, but because we don’t always know how they’ll land with someone else. There’s a quiet vulnerability in saying, “This is what I believe,” especially when it doesn’t fit neatly into a box people recognize. I’ll be honest, it can be a little nerve wracking. As I’ve pursued my degree in religious studies, paired with my naturally curious and eclectic nature, my world has expanded. My home, my bookshelf, even the conversations I’m drawn to reflect that. Some might call it interesting, others might call it controversial or even taboo, and I understand why. But here’s what I’ve come to know, deeply and peacefully. I believe that God created the heavens and the earth, and because of that, I can’t help but ask why everything He created would exist without purpose. The stars, the planets, the vastness of the universe, I don’t believe they’re just there for decoration. I believe they hold meaning, design, and intention. Maybe not all of it is for us to fully understand right now, but that doesn’t make it meaningless.The same goes for us. Why would we be given spiritual gifts, intuition, and discernment if not to learn about them, grow in them, and use them. There’s something within us that nudges, that guides, that knows, and I believe that’s not accidental. I believe that’s the indwelling of the Holy Spirit, our counselor and our guide, and I’ve learned to listen. When something feels off, I don’t ignore it, and when something resonates deeply, I lean in, not from a place of rebellion, but from a place of trust. I understand that not everyone will agree with me, and I’ve made peace with that. Whatever label someone might place on me, I’m okay with it, because at the core of all of this there’s something steady within me, a deep knowing and a peace that isn’t easily shaken. I don’t see harm in curiosity or in asking questions and seeking understanding. God gave us a mind, a spirit, and the ability to discern, and I believe honoring Him includes using those gifts fully. I’m not trying to redefine faith, I’m trying to live it honestly and openly, with a willingness to grow, trusting that truth is big enough to hold it all.