Hebrews 11:1-2
The fundamental fact of existence is
that this trust in God, this faith, is the firm foundation under
everything that makes life worth living. It’s our handle on what we
can’t see. The act of faith is what distinguished our ancestors, set
them above the crowd.
Scripture
quotations from The Message. © 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 2000, 2001, 2002
by Eugene Peterson. Used by permission of NavPress, Colorado Springs,
CO. All rights reserved.
Last night, Greg and I sat on
a blanket in our friends’ back yard, which overlooks the lake that
surrounds our community. We were joined by many members of our family,
including both of our moms, my mother’s husband, my niece and her
husband, and of course – Timothy, Zola and Nathan. Dear friends joined
us, too. We all sat and watched as spectacular fireworks shot high into
the air and exploded over the water, making a scene so amazing that
Timothy kicked his legs and said, “I can’t stand it! It’s sooooo
beautiful!” And for that moment, all was right in my world.
I’ll
admit…this was a hard week for me. My faith was challenged when people
who I know in my heart are Christians said or did things that were, at
best, judgmental…and some of them were downright unkind, unloving – and
untrue. This was a hurtful week…and I asked God over and again why and
how people could harden their hearts so profoundly to His truths and
promises. I’ll be honest…I can barely watch the news these days,
because of all of the hate, bickering, dissention and fearmongering that
is reported upon each day.
I learned many years ago that we
cannot always see how God is working…or when He will act in certain
situations. I accepted that there will be some changes I may never
realize in my lifetime…and that this does not bear any reflection on
God’s love for me and others.
But as I sat on the blanket last
night with Greg and all three little ones - surrounded by family and
friends - I felt such a sense of calm, peace and joy. I felt God
saying, “This is all going to be okay. You have so much to live for –
so much of my love and blessings to share with others. And I am not
about to let you down now.” I slept well and awoke with a new
perspective.
Yes, there are things we cannot understand. Surely
people will say and do hurtful things – even “good Christians” – and
they will sometimes knock the wind out of us momentarily. But because
of our unyielding faith and trust in an unseen God…and our confidence
that He is caring for our every need…we will get up and move forward
through another day.
God’s firm foundation does indeed make
every day of this earthly life worth living…and the hope of heaven even
sweeter. Like a little six-year-old boy’s reaction to spectacular
fireworks, the thought of all that God has promised is truly so
beautiful that I almost can’t stand it! What about you?
©2015 Debbie Robus
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