Snippets from your Pastor/Faith

"Now, faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen." What a statement. And what better time than now to affirm it.

Faith gives us the courage to do things we otherwise would never attempt. Faith gives us the courage to step into a future whose outcome we cannot see. Faith keeps us calm, strong, and hopeful. I've been privileged to stand by people facing difficult situations; how do they do it with such confidence? One word: faith. They have faith, simply, that God is in charge and that God will bless our best efforts. God will redeem our worst failures. God holds us when we let go. God is with us: working, healing, enlightening, empowering. So, we need fear no danger. We can move ahead with hope not in our own strength, but in God's strength which resides in us. What a gift God has given us.

It is with faith that I look forward to our world's future. Only God knows how many ways we'll be challenged, how many storms we'll be called on to weather, and how glorious the changing of this season will be. Fear not, the angels would say. I'm reminded what Martin Luther King, Jr. said: "Tonight I'm not fearing any man . . . mine eyes have seen the glory of the coming of the Lord." He trusted God's lead. The next day he was assassinated, but he nevertheless saw God's glory in Memphis. I see it here.

I have faith, then, that with God's help our joy will increase. I have faith that God will help us as we strive to let go of our national/global anxieties. The answer certainly is not duct tape. Growing in Christ requires faith. And that faith empowers us to engage in personal, local, and world affairs prayerfully, creatively, and less anxiously. Faith will not fail us. When our faith is strong, we see God's glory shining all around us.

Eugene Peterson translates Hebrews 11:1 thusly: "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."

One more thing: Our faith in God wavers; God's faith in us does not waver. Let's not lose heart, friends.

Peace,
Pastor Matt