The Focus of Our Faith - article by Joel Hempel
This past Sunday, Marcia and I were on vacation, but we joined you for worship through the miracle of the internet. Pastor Scott offered a powerful message that included a personal testimony. I don't know about you, but I appreciate his transparency when he shares a personal struggle or challenge that leads him to grow in faith. It models for the rest of us the trust we can have in each other as sisters and brothers in Christ.
Toward the end of pastor's message, he shared a little about his mom's many physical challenges. We pray with him for God's healing and care of her. Then pastor added, "I choose to focus on her (and his own) faith despite my fear and guilt." What does it mean to focus on faith amid awful or even wonderful circumstances?
If you watch the news, you have likely seen the Will Smith slap of Chris Rock that has been seen around the world. Supposedly, after the Oscars fellow actor, Denzel Washington told Smith to be careful. Why? Because of a truth all of us have experienced: When we are at the high point of our success or the depth of our pain, Satan attacks with relentless fury. Satan did it to Jesus in the wilderness, in the garden, and on the cross. He will do it to us! Satan does not “feel your pain” because he does not care about your pain. He assaults your pain. So, be ready!
Be ready! How? Focus! “Focus on your faith,” pastor encouraged. Why? Because faith is what connects us with God’s grace and his promises to give us the necessary strength and peace to deal with whatever life throws at us. Unlike Satan, Jesus does feel our pain. He does care.
As pastor pointed out, when Jesus prayed for his followers, he asked his Father to give us the assurance of eternal life so that we know the Father and Jesus Christ whom the Father sent to die and rise to life for our salvation.
The word “know” in reference to God means to have growing certainty of God's love for us and to have confidence in his promise to be with us in good times and when times are rough.
So please, know this by faith: Whatever you are facing, you are not alone. Whatever is capturing your attention, put it in perspective. You not only have the strength of God, you also have the community of faith to support you. Call on us.
