Elize About Faith

When I was much younger, I loved being the helper everywhere I went. I did everything with enthusiasm and energy. I genuinely enjoyed being useful, supportive, and dependable. Helping others made me feel good and at the time, that felt like reason enough.

That character trait followed me well into my early working years. I was eager, motivated, and always willing to go the extra mile. I said yes often, stepped in quickly, and took pride in being someone others could rely on. For a long time, this felt like a strength and in many ways, it was.

But about ten years into my career, I had a realisation that stopped me in my tracks – not all of my helpfulness was rooted in a genuine desire to serve. Much of it was driven by my need to be needed.

Now, don’t get me wrong, I don’t believe the need to be needed is bad. It’s very much human. It often grows out of kindness, empathy, and a desire to contribute. But in my own life, I had to learn to distinguish between actions motivated by sincere love for others and those quietly fueled by a desire for validation, importance, or reassurance.

We are called to be good and loving to others. Jesus teaches us to serve, to care, and to love selflessly. But serving others for the sake of our own validation is not the same as serving out of love. When our good deeds are rooted in a need to feel valued, seen, or indispensable, the focus subtly shifts from God and others, back to ourselves.

I also realised something even deeper: when we want others to need us, we may unintentionally place ourselves where only God should be. We begin to believe, consciously or not, that we are the source of strength, help, or stability in someone else’s life. And that is a burden we were never meant to carry.

One lesson stood out above all others: we are not meant to boast about how much we’ve done for others. True service doesn’t need applause or recognition. It doesn’t keep score. It flows quietly from love, humility, and obedience.

Learning this didn’t make me less helpful – it made me more honest about my intentions when serving others. Am I serving freely, or am I seeking affirmation? Am I loving others, or am I trying to secure my worth through them?

Letting go of the need to be needed has been an act of surrender. And in that surrender, I’ve found a deeper, healthier way to serve – one that leaves room for God to be needed, and for me to be a loving servant.

“Teacher, which is the greatest commandment in the Law?” Jesus replied: “ ‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’ This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments.”

‭‭Matthew‬ ‭22‬:‭36‬-‭40‬ ‭NIV‬‬

https://bible.com/bible/111/mat.22.36-40.NIV

“Do not judge, and you will not be judged. Do not condemn, and you will not be condemned. Forgive, and you will be forgiven.” Luke 6:37 (NIV)

A few years ago, God revealed something about me that I had never really paid attention to. Although I’ve always considered myself humble in my own way, I carried a strong tendency to judge others for their choices. Quietly, in my thoughts, I would criticize them—shaking my head in disapproval, believing that my judgment was harmless.

But one day, I was confronted by the realization that what I had long overlooked was something Jesus had clearly warned against. I had crossed a boundary He set for us.

It made me wonder how often we judge others without even noticing it. You only need to open the news or scroll through tabloids to see judgment on full display. You can only look at celebrities, politicians, strangers passing by—people we feel disconnected from. Criticism is everywhere—so common that it begins to feel normal. But I was reminded of a simple and humbling truth: they are all God’s children too.

And then it hit me.

I have stood at the center of judgment many times in my life, and yet I spent so much time judging others.

The ultimate test came for me when people close to me were hurt by the actions of others, I had to make a conscious decision to step back—to release my need to judge and condemn. Instead, something shifted. I felt a growing desire to pray for those people instead, people whom God will judge in His own time. Judging others was never my role and isn’t anyone’s role.

Rather than condemning them, I began to plead for them in prayer. Instead of allowing hatred to take root, I chose love—praying that they would repent, seek God’s forgiveness and experience His mercy and salvation. It doesn’t make me approve of their actions but I could not bring myself to judge them.

As I continued to let go of judgment, God brought to my attention a judgment I had carried for a long time.

While reading the story about Moses leading the Israelites out of Egypt, I realized how harshly I had judged the Israelites. I questioned how they could turn their backs on God so quickly—worshiping Egyptian gods after witnessing God’s miracles. How could they doubt Him after everything He had done? How could they lose patience with His timing and believe slavery in Egypt was better than freedom in the wilderness?

Yet God had already passed judgment on their rebellion. In His time, He allowed them to wander the desert for forty years.
“So, as the Holy Spirit says: ‘Today, if you hear His voice, do not harden your hearts as you did in the rebellion, during the time of testing in the wilderness, where your ancestors tested and tried Me, though for forty years they saw what I did.’” Hebrews 3:7–9 (NIV)

This realization humbled me deeply. God had already dealt with their disobedience. My judgment added nothing. What remained for me was to listen, to learn, and to soften my own heart—so that I would not repeat the same mistakes in my own wilderness. Judgment belongs to God alone.

If you are finding yourself stuck in the grips of judging others, use this prayer to ask God to help and guide you.

Closing Prayer

Heavenly Father,

Holy is your name. You are the Lord of all things and the Judge of all Judges!

Thank you for gently opening my eyes to the ways judgment has lived quietly in my heart. Thank you for Your patience with me as You teach me to see others through Your eyes and not my own.

Lord, help me to lay down every desire to judge, condemn, or elevate myself above others. Remind me daily that I, too, am in need of Your grace and mercy. Soften my heart when it grows hard, and humble me when pride tries to take root.

Teach me to respond with prayer instead of criticism, with love instead of anger, and with compassion instead of condemnation. When I am tempted to judge, lead me back to the cross—where mercy triumphed over judgment.

Help me to listen when You speak, to trust Your timing, and to walk in obedience even when the path feels uncertain. May my life reflect Your love, and may my words and thoughts bring You glory.
I place my heart in Your hands, Lord.

Amen.

Bible references:
Read the books of Exodus and Leviticus
Also read Hebrews 3 and Luke 6:37-42

---

Scripture on Judging Others

Jesus consistently reminded His followers that judgment belongs to God alone. He warned that the standard we use on others will be the same one applied to us:
“For in the same way you judge others, you will be judged, and with the measure you use, it will be measured to you.”
— Matthew 7:2 (NIV)

The apostle Paul echoed this truth, reminding believers that we are not qualified to sit in God’s place:
“You, then, why do you judge your brother or sister? Or why do you treat them with contempt? For we will all stand before God’s judgment seat.”
— Romans 14:10 (NIV)

James, too, offers a sobering reminder that mercy—not judgment—is the mark of a heart transformed by God:
“There is only one Lawgiver and Judge, the one who is able to save and destroy. But you—who are you to judge your neighbor?”
— James 4:12 (NIV)

These verses reaffirm a humbling truth: judgment is not our assignment. Love, mercy, prayer, and obedience are.

“Then Jesus said to his disciples, *‘Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me. For whoever wants to save their life will lose it, but whoever loses their life for me will find it.’” — Matthew 16:24-25

This passage has repeatedly crossed my path as I’ve sought God. Each time I return to it, my understanding deepens. What once felt difficult to accept has gradually become something I am learning to live by.

Before I intentionally turned back to God, I spent a long time searching for myself. I looked for answers through therapy, self-help guides, mindfulness practices, self-love teachings, and even spiritualism. Yet nothing brought lasting joy, purpose, or peace. Nothing filled the emptiness I carried. I didn’t feel worthy of love.

Psalm 42:1-2 expresses this longing perfectly: “As the deer pants for streams of water, so my soul pants for you, my God. My soul thirsts for God, for the living God. When can I go and meet with God?”

It wasn’t until God called me back to Him that I realized what had truly been missing from my life: faith and trust in Him. I had grown accustomed to relying solely on myself and even felt ashamed to lay my mess bare before God. But instead of rejection, I was met with open arms—with patience, love, and gentle guidance.

Through my walk with God, I have discovered that surrender is not the same as loss. When Jesus calls us to “deny ourselves and take up our cross” (Matthew 16:24), it is a call to full surrender: to stop trying to carry the weight of our lives alone and to rest in Him.

As I have immersed myself in Scripture, I’ve begun finding answers to questions I didn’t even know I was asking. Philippians 4:19 reminds me: “And my God will meet all your needs according to the riches of his glory in Christ Jesus.” This journey has brought not only comfort and awe for God, but brought a deep understanding that God is Lord over all things, that He loves His people, and that He doesn’t want anyone to perish.

Through God revealing Himself to me, I’ve also realized how little I truly knew Jesus. That realization led me to intentionally seek Him and to know Him, not just know about Him. I have my Bible open in the New Testament to support my journey in getting to know Jesus and what He wants from and for His children. I came to deeply love him, mourning him during His time on earth and feel a deep desire to be in His presence. I am patiently awaiting the day of His return.

Through getting to know Jesus, I began to feel his suffering. The suffering He had on this earth, the suffering He endured on the cross for us. His overwhelming love and compassion for His children. I have been crying the most I have ever cried in my entire life once I got to know Jesus. It is a painful revelation, yet I am filled with a deep sense of peace and love that I have never felt before.

I’ve learned that faith is not only belief; it is relationship, fellowship and commitment. It is daily surrender, trust, and the courage to walk with Him even when the path feels uncertain. It’s accepting that Jesus knows exactly what He wants for my life and that I don’t.

2 Corinthians 5:17 encapsulates this transformation: “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here!”

My journey with Jesus has completely changed me. And if anyone should now ask me what my greatest fear is then it won’t be heights, it would be the fear of the Lord and fear of seperation from Him. This journey has been one of discovering that life is not found in self-reliance, achievement, or even self-love alone—it is found in surrender to Him. By letting go of the illusion of control, pushing my pride aside and following Jesus, I have begun to find true life, true purpose, and joy that surpasses understanding.

Reflective Call to Action

Take a moment and ask yourself: What have I been carrying alone that I could lay at God’s feet?

• Is there a part of your life where you are relying only on yourself?
• Are you seeking joy, purpose, or worth in things that ultimately leave you empty?
• What would it look like to trust God fully, even with the mess you’ve been hiding?

Consider writing down your thoughts, praying honestly, and taking a small step toward surrender today. God meets us in the very place where we feel unworthy, lost, or broken. The first step is simply to bring it all to Him and allow Him to lead you into life that truly satisfies.

Parenting is beautiful, messy, exhausting, and expensive. It matters more than almost anything else we’ll ever do and if we’re honest, it can also be scary.

Most parents carry the same quiet questions: Am I doing this right? What actually matters? What will my kids need most from me when they’re grown?

The Book of Proverbs offers a helpful way of thinking about those questions. It doesn’t read like a rulebook. It sounds more like advice passed down from parents who have lived a little longer and learned a few things the hard way. Over and over, it says: Pay attention. This is what tends to work.

One of the clearest ideas in Proverbs is that wisdom starts with taking God seriously. “The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge” (Prov. 1:7). Parenting isn’t mainly about controlling behavior or getting everything right. It’s about helping kids know who God is, that they are loved, and that grace and forgiveness are real. When that foundation is there, a lot of other things fall into place over time.

Proverbs also keeps pointing back to God’s words as a source of guidance. “For the Lord gives wisdom; from his mouth come knowledge and understanding” (Prov. 2:6). Not as a weapon or a set of slogans, but as something steady to come back to when life feels confusing. When kids see their parents turning to Scripture for perspective, they learn that it matters even when no one is forcing it.

Correction shows up in Proverbs too, but not in a harsh way. “My son, do not despise the Lord’s discipline, and do not be weary of his reproof, for the Lord reproves him whom he loves” (Prov. 3:11–12). Being corrected doesn’t mean being unloved it means someone is invested. When guidance is given calmly and consistently, kids learn that mistakes aren’t the end of the world and that growth is possible.

Proverbs spends time talking about relationships because they shape everything. “Whoever walks with the wise becomes wise, but the companion of fools will suffer harm” (Prov. 13:20). The people our kids become close to will influence the choices they make and the direction their lives take. Helping them value character, loyalty, and wisdom in friendships and later in a spouse can save them a lot of pain.

Honesty is another theme that keeps coming up. “Whoever conceals his transgressions will not prosper, but he who confesses and forsakes them will obtain mercy” (Prov. 28:13). Hiding mistakes usually makes things worse. Telling the truth, even when it’s uncomfortable, is often the fastest way forward. Homes where honesty is met with grace tend to raise kids who can take responsibility without being crushed by shame.

Proverbs also has a lot to say about work. “A slack hand causes poverty, but the hand of the diligent makes rich” (Prov. 10:4). It values effort, responsibility, and follow-through. Teaching kids to work hard isn’t just about preparing them for a job—it helps them build confidence and learn the satisfaction of doing something well.

And running through all of it is a concern for people who are struggling. “Whoever is generous to the poor honors him” (Prov. 14:31). When kids see compassion practiced in ordinary ways, they learn that faith shows up in how we treat others.

None of this is a formula. Parenting will always be imperfect and humbling. But Proverbs offers a steady reminder of what usually leads toward wisdom, health, and a good life.

Parenting is not ultimately about teaching right behaviours, it is about facilitating a right relationship. Your first job as a parent is to help your child relate to the God of the covenant through faith in Jesus Christ.

Discipline lovingly points us in the direction of peace and harmony, therefore discipline should be considered a lifelong friend. Proverbs says: “Whoever loves discipline loves knowledge, but he who hates reproof is stupid” (Proverbs 12:1 ESV)

And on hard days, sometimes a reminder like that is enough.

In Revelation 3:16–17, Jesus tells the church at Laodicea that they are lukewarm – neither cold nor hot. It’s a metaphor describing the condition of their spiritual walk, and it comes with consequences that are as clear as they are unsettling: God will spit them out of His mouth.

But what does it actually mean to be a lukewarm Christian, and why is it so serious that it warrants rejection by God?

It comes down to one thing: doing things man’s way instead of God’s way.

Lukewarmness is self-satisfied faith. Comfortable faith. Faith that has learned how to look Christian without depending on Christ.

That’s why verse 17 matters so much:

“You say, ‘I am rich; I have acquired wealth and do not need a thing.’ But you do not realise that you are wretched, pitiful, poor, blind and naked.”

Only two years ago I pretty much lived with my head inside a box of truth avoidance. Time and time again I was confronted by Jesus about the sin in my life, yet I tried to drown it in excuses, self-pity and dismissive behaviour. Until Jesus made it very clear to me the path I was going down. It was never a path I wanted to take but unintentionally, I allowed the enemy to take root. What pains me most is that I never truly understood what lukewarm faith meant until only a few months ago.

Even though Jesus revealed to John the lukewarm faith of the church of Laeodicea, this speaks volumes for the average Christian today.

Many Christians are comfortable believing in God the Father, Jesus Christ, and the Holy Spirit but worship, pray, and praise God on their own terms, not His. They pray when they feel up to it, they go to church as and when they have time, they read the Bible when they have a spare few minutes or do not do any of these things at all. Because they stopped making room in their lives for Jesus. They would rather fill their time with earthly things.

We forget that faith isn’t something we customise. It’s something we have to surrender to. It’s not religion but a relationship with our Heavenly Father.

A lukewarm Christian may still go to church, know their Bible and speak eloquently in prayer, but without true faith and relationship with God, these things are empty.

God does not reject lukewarm people because He hates them. He rejects lukewarm religion because it lies – it lies to God and lukewarm Christians lie to themselves in the process too.

Lukewarm faith is dangerous because it numbs conviction, resists repentance and it replaces trust with pride and self-idolatry. To be lukewarm is to profess faith without surrender, practice religion without reliance on God and live comfortably without obedience to Him. And it’s serious because Christianity without Christ at the center of it isn’t Christianity at all.

Lukewarm faith says, “I believe in God, but I’ll decide how far that goes.”

True faith says, “I believe in God, and I will lay everything down to pick up my cross and follow Jesus.”

So, are you a lukewarm Christian? Or are you fully surrendered to Christ?

“Then Jesus said to his disciples, “Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me. For whoever wants to save their life will lose it, but whoever loses their life for me will find it. What good will it be for someone to gain the whole world, yet forfeit their soul? Or what can anyone give in exchange for their soul? For the Son of Man is going to come in his Father’s glory with his angels, and then he will reward each person according to what they have done. “Truly I tell you, some who are standing here will not taste death before they see the Son of Man coming in his kingdom.”

Matthew 16:24-28 NIV