December 31, 2016

“Blind Faith”

Proverbs 3:1 -6

 ^1-2 Good friend, don’t forget all I’ve taught you;
    take to heart my commands.
They’ll help you live a long, long time,
    a long life lived full and well.

^3-4 Don’t lose your grip on Love and Loyalty.
    Tie them around your neck; carve their initials on your heart.
Earn a reputation for living well
    in God’s eyes and the eyes of the people.

^5-6 Trust God from the bottom of your heart;
    don’t try to figure out everything on your own.
Listen for God’s voice in everything you do, everywhere you go;
    he’s the one who will keep you on track.
Don’t assume that you know it all.
    Run to God! Run from evil!

             As we come to the end of yet another year, I happen to reflect on what this year brings. There were good days and bad, sorrow and joy, struggle and strength yet if I were to define 2016 I guess I would have to define it as “Blind Faith.”

You see it is easy as humans to want to know what our future will look like so we can brace for the potholes ahead, but that is not a reality. Maybe you lost a job, a loved one or just feel like things aren’t getting any better with a relationship or your teenage child. Maybe you are the one who welcomed a new baby or received a bonus or raise in your job. The reality is we are called to keep our eyes on Christ in all things. We are called to experience both the good and the bad in life because maybe the good is a blessing as your bad may be protection. We are called to God for direction in our blind faith.

So as I reflect on these things I am reminded of a couple things. The first being my job loss and the second being the faith of Peter.

Let me hit the second first. Let me paint the picture for you. The day was a pretty long day for the Disciples and Jesus. Early in the day they got word that Jesus’ cousin John (the Baptist) was killed by Herod as he was beheaded. As they go about Jesus decides to speak to some people and as word gets out the Disciples have to do crowd control as the crowd grew and people came from everywhere to hear Him speak and heal the sick. As the day wore on people became hungry but decided to not leave as a desire to meet with Jesus. Due to their hunger Jesus never turned them away but instead turned five pieces of bread and two fish into a satisfying meal for 5,000 plus people and even had twelve large baskets of leftovers out of some minor ordinary staples.

Now keep in mind this all happened after Jesus and the Disciples decided to find a quite place to be to think about John and what news they received and to try to get some rest. As morning turned to night Jesus told the Disciples to take the boat and go ahead of him. As they were sailing a storm rolled in as they got half way across. In the middle of the storm they became distracted by a figure coming across the water. They wiped their eyes, not knowing what they saw and being afraid wanted to be reactionary, but before they did, they heard a voice that said “Stop, don’t be afraid! It’s me Jesus.” In their disbelief Peter pipes up and says, “If it is really you, let me walk out to you on the water.” Jesus obliged him and Peter proceeded. About half way to Jesus, Peter became distracted. Maybe it was the storm or the waves or maybe it could have been his ego or pride by what he was doing. Either way we know that Peter started to be consumed by his circumstances and the storms around him as he took his eyes off of Jesus.

So as I reflect on this story and think about this past year and my employment status I cannot help but think about one thing; what are my eyes focused on? Am I focused on my current employment status, the longing to hear the voice of my kids again, the joys and experience of the past year or on the goodness God has in store knowing that His word says the He will bless me according to how I give and invest into others and His plans and it will be measured back abundantly and overflowing.

So as we enter this New Year I say, do so with anticipation keeping your focus on God and knowing that His promises will be given to you in a measure that you cannot contain. When you feel that the storm is bearing down on you and you are starting to sink, lift your hands up and call out to Jesus. Remember God doesn’t respond in the grandiose rather by a still small voice. So when the waves crash against you, seek out the still small voice and listen. When the blessings come look for ways to bless others.

This coming year has implications of and fingerprints of God’s very best for you. Prepare and ready yourself for what is good, true, honest and just and all of these things will be added to you, but when the dark times comes know this, the Son will be shining in the morning.

CAL