Philippians 2:12-13 Therefore, my beloved, as you have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling; for it is God who works in you both to will and to do for His good pleasure.

I recently read a story about a woman named Oxana Malaya. She was born in Ukraine in the year 1983. At first, this was a sad story to me but now I see it as inspiration. Oxana was born to alcoholic parents. Instead of raising this blessing from God, they stuck her in the dog kennel with their dogs for five years. She had adopted canine behaviors and essentially lived as a dog. It has taken years, but she has worked out the canine behaviors and now wants to be known as a human girl. She overcame her beginnings in life and now is striving to be better than she was.

We as people, for the most part, did not have the upbringing of this young girl, but we do not want to work out the problems of our lives. The biggest obstacle in life we have to work out, no matter our upbringing, is sin. When we do, we now have to work out our faith in the Almighty, Righteous Lord. We are told by Paul to do this in fear and trembling. This is not language to suggest respecting or honoring God. But we should. No this is truly fear as in shaking and scared because finiteness of life. There is an end to our earthly bodies, but eternity awaits our soul.

Oxana did not know what it meant to be a human. While she lived with the dogs, she ate like a dog, walked on all fours like a dog and picked the fleas off as a dog. But when she was shown a better way, she left the ways of the dogs behind and worked out what it was like to be human. How much more should we strive like this for the faith we proclaim? How much more should the human spirit long for the knowledge of an All Powerful, loving and righteous God? This day is before us; how well will you walk in your faith? How faithfully are you seeking Him?