God is faithful. Always.
I was reminded earlier this evening that we all have faith. The question really, is who (or what) is the object of your faith? Each of us believes in something. Those beliefs inform our view of life, the world around us and our experience in it. Consider your reaction to the news of the day, or better, your response to personal news? We are elated, joyful over the good news we hear. And news of tragedy or pending ill fills us with dread, sadness, fear, and an often overwhelming sense of helplessness.
When we spend energy to make our own way, figure out an answer to the bad we experience, even to devise our own fix, we have put faith in ourselves. We are very accomplished. Capable in so many ways. Yet, we can never solve the ultimate problem. Think of this: with all our ability to provide for our needs as well as our wants, why do we always have to have more? If we are so good at fixing things, why is it that we still have so many problems with things not working as they should, not to mention the evil that continues to spread. Why do we have, still deep within, a longing that is never satisfied?
We fool ourselves that another promotion, another house, another car, another job, another relationship, or another something will complete us. We reason that if we eat the right foods, exercise, pray the right prayers, meditate, get into yoga, or live according to this teaching or that teaching that our life will be full. But the world cannot explain why the wrong in this world continues. Nor can it explain what happens in the end. To be sure, all faith systems have an end story, but does it satisfy? Or is it simply an answer to the question?
I can testify that God is real, for one day 41 years ago, in the midst of heartbreaking questions "Why?" God softened my heart. It wasn't an instantaneous act, but a process that spanned several months aided by a diminutive pastor named Brock who took time to try to explain the gospel, and in a manner, grace. The years that followed were filled with attempts to live, by my will, rightly and somehow be worthy. Even my attempts to witness ended miserably. I didn't get that my salvation did not depend on me and my living right. Actually, what I learned was the more I tried to live like I thought God wanted me to live,the more I failed. I finally was confronted with the faith systems I was really living by. The most prevalent and insidious one is me. Myself. And it is the most difficult to de-throne.
I still don't have all the answers, but I know the One who does. And He love you and me so much that He has given us His Word by which we can learn of Him. His word tells us who we are, and the how and why we are here. It tells us why there is evil, and what God is doing to reconcile everything to Himself. And through His Word we are brought to faith in Christ, and are sanctified (made perfect, over time, that is).
A personal, intimate relationship. That is the essence of Christianity. We all, each one, every one long for, desire a deep, intimate personal relationship. But even as close as you might be to your spouse or significant other, that relationship does not satisfy your deep longing - the void that exists because of our sin that separates us from God who created us to have relationship as His adopted children, with Him. What other faith calls you into such a relationship?
It's been 41 years since I first confessed Christ, and each year of those 41 years has been filled with my idols and sin and growth in Christ for He has not left me alone. And even now, I am frustrated, hurt and angry over a relationship that does not work because of the behaviors of the other party (and my own as well). But I know God is working there too, softening me and giving me peace about the loss and grace to be able to respond as I should. I pray He is working on the other party.
Looking forward to worshipping with the church universal tomorrow. It is always a picture of heaven.
