Docu-web actress and vlogger "Shameless Maya" launched a YouTube channel for which she pondered what would happen if she shamelessly promoted herself for 365 days. What she started as a social media experiment became her lifestyle and job, and now her most recent video from Sunday poses questions about beliefs in God.
From her California apartment, Maya posts YouTube videos about life, inspiration, fun transformations, beauty, fashion and sometimes techie segments for aspiring geeks.
Raised as a "strict Catholic with a Philippino mother," Maya admits she currently is entering a new chapter in life into which she's growing. Saying she is a spiritual being, she believes faith exists even though it's an "unseen, untouchable energy."
"But we can feel God and love, and we came from an original source," said the vlogger, who also believes God and science work hand-in-hand.
She said she believes the Bible is a book that is inspiring, one that combines fact and creative licenses. She likens the approach to biblical stories to "wanting readers to be inspired by what is written."
While Maya doesn't believe the Bible is supposed to be followed verbatim, she applies it to her life to "see areas she can improve on."
Admitting that she did ask what if there is no God, no Jesus, and what if we're all here "just 'cuz,'" she explored how both of those options made her feel. The alternative without God made her feel like sleeping all day, she said. But the emotions that came from believing God, Jesus and love exist, motived her.
She said she wasn't really questioning her faith, but moreso was questioning what she was doing lately as she migrated her business from a one-woman show to hiring employees and becoming a boss. "Nothing in life is certain, but when I go back to the question of what do I believe, I believe I can do this. I believe there is a God. And I believe that whatever is meant to be, will be."
Saying she dropped out of business school, she referenced that everything she now has is a result of hard work, God and the people she's meeting.
"My beliefs help me get up and do something about the things I want to change. I believe in change. I believe in God and Jesus," said the vlogger who is planning to celebrate her fourth year on April 24 of being shamelessly promotion.
Charlyn's reaction to Maya's video was to offer support: "Jesus lives, Maya. Let him into your heart. Humble yourself completely and ask God to enter your heart. And you will see the miracles he can work for you."
Tonya Smallwood on Facebook encouraged Maya to keep searching, posting that "the Bible is not just a book of stories, but it has a theme and a purpose from genesis to revelation."
