This is the third in a 5 part series about rediscovering and strengthening your faith. While we each grow up in a different environment, we all learn about traditions, family values, and cultural practices. We may even be raised in a household with specific religious beliefs. Then, as adults, we have the opportunity to make our own decisions about what we choose to believe based on all we’ve learned growing up.

That brings to mind a question whose answer could limit our behavior based on what’s happening around us. Is what we believe religion or faith? Religion is really more about rules and practices while faith reaches to the core of what you believe about your creation, your life, and even your own mortality. During challenging times, it’s common to question your faith by exploring what you truly believe. With the uncertain times we’re living in right now, I know I’m even exploring my own faith. I’m not sharing my thoughts and perspectives to praise or criticize anyone’s beliefs. I use my own road as an example of how to navigate the journey on your way to finding your faith. Over the next five months I want to encourage you to explore five unique elements of faith that will help you clarify what you believe and give you the confidence to live your life in genuine response to those beliefs.

Part 3: INSPIRATION

Growing up Catholic, I remember going to church as a family on Sunday mornings. My favorite part of the mass was the homily. The priest would spend some time sharing his thoughts as he reflected on what he had just read from scripture. His perspective was encouraging, and I found ways to apply those teachings to my own life.

While still in grade school, I decided to become an Altar Server. My twin brother John and I would serve for weekend masses, and during the summer we would serve for the early morning weekday masses too. We would help the priest prepare for the mass, and we would have different responsibilities during the mass. For example, when the priest read the Gospel (scripture from Matthew, Mark, Luke, or John), my brother and I would hold lit candles while standing on each side of the priest. I’m sure my parents prayed during the Gospel. “Dear God, please help our visually challenged son Jim not set the priest’s robe on fire today”.

During high school, I volunteered as a lector (a reader of scripture other than the Gospel) and also served as an usher. During my junior year of high school, my friend Michele invited me to hear her sing on youth night at a non-denominational church. Her beautiful voice and the powerful lyrics combined with the message delivered that evening by the youth pastor had quite an impact on me.

First, I learned that being a Christian is about more than a religious denomination. Second, I discovered I could pray directly to God any time anywhere. Third, hearing my friend Michelle sing motivated me to get involved in Christian music. I actually sang a few weeks later at that same youth night. During college, I even played guitar for a Catholic church near campus.

When Barb and I started dating, we went to the church her family attended. I enjoyed the Sunday service because after a few songs the pastor would deliver a sermon that lasted at least half an hour. It was a homily on steroids. I even joined the church choir. Once in a while, we’d go to a Sunday evening concert at the church to listen to new Christian artists.

In 1995, I decided to focus my talents on writing and recording Christian music and sharing my music and testimony with different churches. I spent almost 20 years sharing my music and stories of how my faith in God has impacted my life.

In 2000, we moved to Arizona. The church we found was comfortable from the start. I’ll never forget the Sunday service when the children’s director asked for volunteers to work with grade school children. Barb and I looked at each other as if to say, “That would be a fun way to get involved”. We taught 4th and 5th grade students for years. I sang on the worship team, and when the percussionist left the church, I was invited to give it a try. I embraced the opportunity, and had a blast playing every percussion instrument I could get my hands on.

In 2008, after learning that I’d been a trainer and public speaker for many years, our lead pastor invited me to deliver a sermon. Pastor Tim offered to teach me how to write and deliver a scripture-based sermon. The first sermon I delivered was called “Strengthen Your Grip”, and that experience did just that. With each new sermon I prepared and delivered, my faith grew as I dove deeper into the Bible and into what it means to live life as a Christian.

Since that first sermon, I’ve delivered five more at that church, and two at another church in the area. While I’ve enjoyed the experience, I’m not planning on becoming a church pastor. However, in 2016, my close friend Carol Ann asked if I’d officiate her wedding. I applied to become a wedding minister through the Universal Life Church, and have officiated a number of weddings. I enjoy meeting the couples, learning about them, helping them plan the ceremony, and sharing in their special day. I was extremely blessed to officiate our daughter’s wedding in 2018.

Since 2014, I’ve shared my life experiences, challenges, and perspectives here in my Leligdon’s Lighthouse blog. However, I’ve decided to change gears to reach a wider audience. In the coming weeks, I’ll be releasing my first book. Once my current five-part blog series is complete, I won’t be submitting any new blogs. Instead I’ll be focusing my efforts on writing future books.

Why have I shared the variety of things I’ve done in my life on my spiritual journey? These are examples of what it looks like to be inspired. Inspiration gives us each the opportunity to be motivated to do or feel something, typically something creative. While I’ve spent the last 25 years as a corporate trainer, I’ve spent a lifetime deepening my understanding of God, Jesus, and my Christian faith.

My enjoyment of music provided the inspiration to write and record Christian music. My talents as a speaker and facilitator have opened doors to deliver sermons, work in youth ministry, teach marriage workshops, and become a wedding minister. My compassion for others has pushed me to pursue new opportunities as a motivational speaker and author. As I continue life’s journey as a husband, a father, a son, a sibling, and a friend, I seek opportunities daily to live out my faith.

In life, we have many choices about our careers, our families, and our faith. We are each unique, so it stands to reason that different things inspire each of us. Maybe you enjoy music, photography, or cooking. Maybe you have a desire to raise a family, become a foster parent, or adopt a child. Maybe you want to serve as a volunteer at your place of worship or in a local community program.

As I watch the news and reflect on all that is happening in the world today, I’m left wondering what guides our inspiration. It seems that many people allow hatred, revenge, and anger to rule their hearts, minds, and behavior. What if, instead, we turn our focus to love, mercy, and grace? What inspires you? What guides your inspiration? My journey of faith has been in direct response to the unconditional love, mercy, and grace I’ve been shown by God through Jesus.