We get to live by faith not only from our past experiences but also those in the present and in the future. It’s New Year’s Eve (Happy New Year), and we’ll usher in a new year at midnight. 2024 and the faith we walked in (and hopefully learned from) will be in the rearview mirror. The year ahead will certainly offer new opportunities to live by faith.
Faith From The Past
We can undoubtedly learn from not just this past year, but all prior years. Many of you will no doubt remember 2024 as a decadent chocolate dessert as it slowly melts in your mouth. Perhaps you’re healed from a difficult medical challenge, promoted at work, graduated from school, fell in love, got married, had your first baby, or your fifth? You have memories of incredibly joyful events. Maybe even more amazing, you were “born again” and became a follower of Jesus? All glory to God! Yes, many of you are currently thrilled to walk by faith in the goodness of God.
Yet some of us (including myself) had a challenging year. It’s what I would imagine walking on the epicenter of an active earthquake may feel like. You stand up, only to fall down again. Health challenges, financial woes, loss of loved ones, divorce, wayward family members, broken cars, leaky roofs, and the list goes on. Some people don’t even have a place to call home.
Our faith can seem like the safety harness connected to Jesus from above. All glory to God that He never lets go. In it all, our faith is indeed necessary and always pleases Him.
“And it is impossible to please God without faith. Anyone who wants to come to him must believe that God exists and that he rewards those who sincerely seek him.” — Hebrews 11:6
Faith Going Forward
Many people often consider the new year as a chance to begin anew. They make resolutions to get in better shape physically, mentally, emotionally, and spiritually. Without a doubt, those are all good things.
However, I suggest we intentionally build into our faith. We need to live by what we learned (in the past) to build the faith necessary to go forward. In fact, I’m convinced we’ll need more faith. Quite possibly supernatural faith to endure what’s ahead. We’ve built some of it. Whereas the rest will come as we continue in life this side of Heaven.
For now, we live by faith. It is an absolute privilege, a gift from God. And a time is coming soon when everyone who has lived by faith in Jesus will get to live by sight — with Him. It will indeed be a homecoming — safely in His presence for eternity! We’re headed home.
All glory to God!
Posted in A Word from the Pastor