Our delightful small group engaged in a delightful study of Hebrews Chapter 10 and Chapter 11 this week. If you want some inspiration and uplifting to your faith, read Hebrews. It's not called "The Book of Faith" for nothing. I mean, gosh if our jolly-old writer doesn't leave you hearing the same message repeatedly to encourage you to be a faithful person, live a life of faith, have faith and know all about faith!
Near the end of Chapter 10 and launching into Chapter 11 our writer of this delightful book wants us to know that there will be trials and tribulations. There will be conflict and strife. We should expect that these things are going to happen to us. No one ever promised us that Christianity or simple humanity was going to be easy. It is not easy. We ALL have issues. As Christians, however, we should learn to expect this. Get over the "why me?" syndrome and understand it is more like "why not you?" Why shouldn't God chose you to overcome a struggle and be triumphant? Why shouldn't God chose you to have a moment of faith-strengthening glory? Why shouldn't God chose you to be an example to others, representing God to those around you?
Shoot, we should be saying "God, you better choose me!" Often this is not what we say. We get stuck in the pity pool, wallowing around in shallow watered-down faith. Friends, it is time for us to stand up. Its time for us to claim the faith we say we represent. Its time for us to represent Christ well in all our actions and behaviors. Leading into Chapter 11 we see that God really wants us to know that part of that faith-walk includes letting go of the things that are temporary that WILL be removed from our lives. And that is okay. He's encouraging us to know that material things, the things of this world, are temporary and they can be gone in an instant. God is what is permanent.
If we begin to see our world in that light we don't get quite so upset when these "things" are taken from us. Sure, there are painful situations that we will endure but we hold on to God in these times. We remember that God is our permanent structure. When all else falls away, He is there. Which leads me to leave you with this thought? What, exactly, is the definition of faith? How would you describe this one small, powerful word? Here's what I said: Faith is confidence in believing in what we hope for and assurance about what we don't see with our physical eyes. Believing in your beliefs. I also say that faith is demonstrated by what we say and what we do. Our lives represent our faith. Not our "religion", not talking about religion...but our "faith." Friends, take a look at your life. Measure yourself by how you handle the things you can't see or control. How do we conduct ourselves as we go through this day to day life? Well, for each of us I hope its in a manner of "faith," believing that God is our center especially in those moments when we can't "see" anything good going on.
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