Unfortunately, for many of us, the hardest faith decision we’ll make is what to give up for Lent. Now, it’s not that there aren’t other difficult aspects of faith. There are many. But we’ve managed to strip down our faith in Jesus to be primarily about our heavenly reward. In the process, we’ve ignored the risk of claiming Christ as Lord.
That proclamation is, at the very least, somewhat political. It always implies Jesus is above any king or kingdom. Still, for most of us, there’s no risk in following Jesus.
Of course, I don’t want you to be in danger. I’m not asking you to engage in any foolish demonstration of trust or sacrifice. But I also don’t want our faith to be shallow.
Faith helps us endure and to overcome. It doesn’t remove us from uncertainty or life’s pitfalls. They still come. And when they do, a faith built on shallow notions of privilege and immunity only deepens the blow. Now, this isn’t anything new or quite particular to our generation. We can sense this desire for a more profound faith in the book of Hebrews.
In Hebrews 11, the writer reminds us of the family of Moses. They made a difficult decision to hide their young child. As Moses grew, he, too, made difficult and risky decisions. There was no way to know their impact. It was, according to the writer, by faith Moses chose anyway.
That gives us a chance to reflect. Reflect on choosing the uncertainty of what may happen with the assurance of what has happened in Jesus.
What struggles has faith itself brought to you? How do you allow God to strengthen your faith as you endure your circumstances? There’s no need to sign up for pain and suffering. They come with our days and years. A strong faith is choosing to trust in God’s goodness even as we walk through the darkest valleys.
Stay blessed…john
