faithfulness Love

Faces

/ pastorpete51 / Leave a comment

Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a huge crowd of witnesses to the life of faith, let us strip off every weight that slows us down, especially the sin that so easily trips us up. And let us run with endurance the race God has set before us. Hebrews 12:1

P1020394

Back in 2016 the Olympic flame was carried by over 10,000 runners. The torch run which began in the capital city of Brasilia went the distance of 20,000 kilometers throughout the nation to in Rio de Janeiro. Some of the way they passed through city neighborhoods lined with crowds and others over empty farmland and forest. All along the way the torch bearers ran till Vanderlei de Lima lit the flame before a crowd of over 60,000 in Maracanã Stadium.

In that same way as we run the race of our Christian life there are some lonely times. It feels as if the finish line in Heaven’s capital city is impossibly far away. God’s word encourages us to recall that God has a stadium there also filled with the faces of those who have carried their torches before us. We have parents, and pastors, brothers, sisters, wives and children waiting and cheering us on. They weren’t all saintly and perfect people but they carried the torch to the end. They climbed the steps to the throne of God and left everything behind to finish their race. In the light of their flame of faith I can see their faces and reKIMG1137minded to trust that God will help me run my own leg of the journey one more day!

Getting Back in the Boat

/ pastorpete51 / Leave a comment

And when they got into the boat, the wind ceased. Matthew 14:32

This short, seemingly insignificant verse holds a promise I had overlooked till I desperately needed it. I often thought about God challenging me as when Peter walked on water. Other times it was comforting to know that Jesus reached out his hand to save Peter. But it is just as important to know that Jesus wants to restore normalcy and calm to our lives.

fishing sea sky sunset

Photo by Public Domain Pictures on Pexels.com

My mother was just 62 when she died of breast cancer and her passing left me feeling like I had been run over by a truck. The years struggling to rebuild our relationship, the prayers and the conversations were suddenly over. I felt as if I were locked in a room with barely enough air to breathe. I sleep walked through months of guilt and regret for what had never been. Then one morning as the light began to shine outside my window it also started shining again in my heart. It wasn’t that I suddenly could understand the reasons behind the hurt, but rather that knowing only God knew was now enough.

Prayer: Father even the hurts that I will never understand and the struggles that no one else knows about are safe with you. Thank you that you are not always challenging or rescuing me, but that some days you simply help me back in the boat. I am grateful and I rest in your care as the wind calms to a hush.

Coming to the Red Sea

/ pastorpete51 / Leave a comment

Moses answered the people, “Do not be afraid. Stand firm and you will see the deliverance the Lord will bring you today. The Egyptians you see today you will never see again. The Lord will fight for you; you need only to be still.” Exodus 14:13-14

One of my professors at Bible college often said that the Christian life wasn’t hard to live, it was impossible! In our lives the Red Sea represents that place of impossibility.

P1040084

It is impossible for us to become Christians, impossible to grow in our faith and impossible to accomplish anything without the miraculous grace of God. The story of Moses and the children of Israel leave us an encouraging example of how God chose to work by His miracle grace. Maybe you are in an impossible situation or one is looming on your horizon like a dark cloud. It is like facing the Red Sea with the sound of your enemies at your back. While it is quite natural to feel a sense of panic, but in that in that moment remind yourself that God Himself has led you to that shore. One of the greatest fears we face is the fear of the unknown. We can’t imagine how our life will be if x, y or z happens. But God specializes in doing his best work when we don’t understand. Let your faith work in the same way that you welcome anesthesia before a surgery. Since you will be asleep your confidence doesn’t lie in your ability to direct the surgeon’s hands but in the confidence that he is operating for your good. You will never have a greater opportunity to grow in your trust towards God. Nothing is by chance in the battle you are in. You haven’t taken a wrong turn and this is not a dead-end. In fact you are in exactly the right place. God has brought you to your own Red Sea. Stand strong with expectancy and you will discover what only God can do next!