Today’s Readings: Psalm 105:1-45; Genesis 12:1-7; John 6:35-42, 48-51; Hebrew 11:1-12
Last October – as the grim news about economy started to spread like wildfire - there was an article in USA Today that caught my eye. The article explored how people of faith were more optimistic about things than most others in our society about the economic future. When I discussed the article with a friend who doesn’t attend church, his first response was straightforward: “Most people of faith are conservative and tend to support the current president and his decisions come hell or high water. That’s why ‘people of faith’ are more optimistic than the rest of us.” His take on it was in line with what many Americans think. But had he read the entire article, he would have seen that the reasons for their optimism were much broader than he thought. The optimism was there whether or not individuals were conservative or liberal – whether they were supporters of President Bush’s policies or opponents of President Bush’s policies. In other words, the article suggested that the reason for their optimism wasn’t political – it had to do with something else: their faith. In this cynical age, it’s common for folks to forget the transformative power one’s faith can have in terms of how one sees and experiences the world. One person who didn’t forget the power of faith, however, was the author of today’s passage from Hebrews. In that passage, the author wrote: “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 of what we can’t see” (Hebrews 11:1 from The Message). The author then goes on to provide a list of those ranging from Abel to Sarah who accomplished great things by stepping out on faith. Today, I have a challenge for you that you can spend the rest of the year pursuing. Spend some time prayerfully discerning a place in your life that God is calling you to step out in faith. It might be doing something like returning to school, ending an abusive relationship, accepting a new position that is better in line with your gifts and graces – you name it. My goal for you and I is to have our names included in that list of people who have stepped out on faith and done remarkable things – in 2009 and beyond! Til next time…
Last October – as the grim news about economy started to spread like wildfire - there was an article in USA Today that caught my eye. The article explored how people of faith were more optimistic about things than most others in our society about the economic future. When I discussed the article with a friend who doesn’t attend church, his first response was straightforward: “Most people of faith are conservative and tend to support the current president and his decisions come hell or high water. That’s why ‘people of faith’ are more optimistic than the rest of us.” His take on it was in line with what many Americans think. But had he read the entire article, he would have seen that the reasons for their optimism were much broader than he thought. The optimism was there whether or not individuals were conservative or liberal – whether they were supporters of President Bush’s policies or opponents of President Bush’s policies. In other words, the article suggested that the reason for their optimism wasn’t political – it had to do with something else: their faith. In this cynical age, it’s common for folks to forget the transformative power one’s faith can have in terms of how one sees and experiences the world. One person who didn’t forget the power of faith, however, was the author of today’s passage from Hebrews. In that passage, the author wrote: “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 of what we can’t see” (Hebrews 11:1 from The Message). The author then goes on to provide a list of those ranging from Abel to Sarah who accomplished great things by stepping out on faith. Today, I have a challenge for you that you can spend the rest of the year pursuing. Spend some time prayerfully discerning a place in your life that God is calling you to step out in faith. It might be doing something like returning to school, ending an abusive relationship, accepting a new position that is better in line with your gifts and graces – you name it. My goal for you and I is to have our names included in that list of people who have stepped out on faith and done remarkable things – in 2009 and beyond! Til next time…
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