Faith ultimately triumphs. This is its power, because after the testing, the bearer of that faith is known and can be put to great use. Not necessarily glorious, not necessarily popular, not necessarily famous, but always vital in the eyes of the Lord.
In this final part, I will no longer speak of the analogy I used in the earlier parts, because they focused on the importance of having an actively developing faith. Instead, I shall focus on its endpoint, the finishing line of faith.
I quote this verse from the Bible, "Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one gets the prize? Run in such a way as to get the prize." (1 Cor 9:24) From this, we know that my life as a Christian does not start here and simply end here. (I concede, this is one of several verses I could use to make the point, but this one would suffice)
We are called to run a race. All races have a finish line, a place where one who finishes the race obtains a prize. Faith is not only a thing you exercise when you have to go through difficulties in life. For the Christian, faith and life is inseparable. In fact, they ought to be considered as one. Such was the attitude of the early Christians, that their faith was so deeply entrenched in their lives that it was unthinkable to consider that they separate God from their whole lives and whole being.
Hebrews 12:1-2 states how we should run this race, that we should "throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, fixing our eyes on Jesus,the pioneer and perfecter of faith."
Why? Because Jesus Christ, our Lord and Savior, is our finish line. To be where He is, is the purpose of us running the race. A runner keeps his eyes fixed on the finish line, even if he does not see it with his eyes yet. He runs because he knows it is there, and he has trained to reach it. My question to you, dear reader, is whether you are still running, or have you thrown in the towel entirely?
Postscript: I finally completed this because I needed a mental picture, and what better portrait of faith than a race itself? Also, as a final word of encouragement, keep in your heart 1 Peter 1:3-8!
Sunday, June 23, 2013
Beyond expectations.
This is grossly out-of-date, but I should remind Future Me of the goodness of God to provide for the things in my life, especially the areas He calls me to serve in. LTC '13 was good, because the change turned out better than anticipated.
"Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.” " - the Lord, to Joshua, in Joshua 1:9
My reminder to 2014's me is this: You may face resistance from the people you serve with, but He who commends the work to you is behind you.
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