I’m a teacher. I’ve been a teacher for sixteen years and have either taught or subbed for fifteen of those years. This year, I am at a different school teaching fourth grade. I love our school for several reasons, not the least of which is that we truly focus on character and values. Although we are definitely interested in the scores earned by children on their required tests, we are far more interested in the people they are becoming.

To be honest, I’ve never taught anywhere that didn’t feel the same.

Thankfully, our principal and the team that I am on work hard to create opportunities for character development. One thing that our team has chosen to do is have our students create a “Thankful Journal.” As they start their journals, students in my class made a list of 100 things for which they are thankful. Yes. One hundred people, things, and events for which they are thankful. Not bad for nine and ten year old children. In their writing center, they are occasionally required to choose one of the things  on their list and journal why it is something for which they are thankful. Of course, they are kids and some of the things they express gratitude for are, shall we say, a little bit out there. (Seriously, burping?)

I always try to do the same assignments that my students are required to do, so today I sat down with my Thankful Journal and chose a topic.

I chose faith.

As I sat writing, I realized that I needed to consider why I am thankful for my faith. I was considering that idea when the question in my head became, “Why faith?” Sitting at my desk and writing in my journal, I realized that I had never really answered that question.

It’s time.

Why do I choose to live a life of faith? Why, as a young child, did I ask Jesus to forgive my sin and live in my heart? Honestly, did I even understand what I was asking? Why do I give time, money, work, and effort to a relationship with God? Why do I choose to live my life based on who He is and what He has called me to be? Why do I follow Him? Why did I choose Him?

Perhaps the better question is, “Why did He choose me?”

I have chosen to live a life filled with faith in God, the creator of the universe, because I know deep in my heart where my emotions lie, in my mind where reasoning exists, and in my soul where faith abides that He is my God.

A much-loved professor and theologian, Dr. T.C. Mitchell, preached a sermon entitled, “God is Boss.”And that, my friends, is the source of my faith. He is boss.

He made the earth, the planets in our solar system, the galaxies and the stars. He made it all and He controls it, even today. There is much debate over His creation, but no matter how He chose to make it, I believe that He did. In my mind the theological arguments over the means of creation are pointless. To me it is simple, He created the world. Rather than choosing to worship the creation or debate how it came to be, I’ve chosen to worship the creator.

It is a difficult thing to explain faith.

God’s Word does it this way: “Now faith is being sure of what we hope for, and certain of what we do not see.” Hebrews 11:1.

That is the essence of faith. Within my faith, I am sure of the hope that I have placed in God. I am certain that my hope and my faith are well-placed; I have not given them foolishly. I know whom I serve, and He knows me. Even more than knowing me, He loves me.

I believe that God calls us to know Him. He invites us to a relationship with Him. In our lives we will have opportunities to see God at work, and in those moments He will reveal Himself to us if only we seek Him.

“You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you so that you might go and bear fruit—fruit that will last.” John 15:16.

As an eight year old camper at Golden Bell Nazarene Camp Grounds in Divide, Colorado, I asked Jesus to forgive me, to live in me, to be my God and my Father. In some ways I understood that decision, although the ramifications of that choice were fuzzy. By having a relationship with my Heavenly Father, by choosing to live a life of faith, I have made the choice to live a life that pleases Him. Living a life that pleases Him means living the way He calls me to live. Certainly, I am human and I mess up, but God is faithful and He forgives me. He welcomes me back home.

Home. In a lot of ways, my faith is my home base. It’s where I’m comfortable, satisfied, fulfilled. My faith is where I center my life. I center my life in my relationship with Him.

Why do I choose a life of faith?

I choose it because God chose me.