Faith

— Midweek Meditations:
thoughts, inspiration and encouragement
from ACF community members —

Today I am piggy-backing off of two of our own ACF members—Daphne and Will—to repeat and add on to thoughts on faith. Faith is one of those words that are frequently tossed around in conversation and yet, is still hard to explain.

Hebrews defines faith as…

Now faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see.

Hebrews 11:1

Advent is the season in the church year where our lessons and traditions circle closely around hope, waiting and expectation. According to Hebrews, hope also plays a role in faith. Last week Daphne described the incomparable and central hope for us—in Christ alone. (If you haven’t read it yet, I would suggest stopping and reading it now here.)

Several weeks ago, I was invited to explain the Christian faith to teenagers at a school in Freiburg. One student, originally from Nepal, entered the discussion with no prior knowledge of Christianity. As I (what I thought) clearly explained the Christian faith, I realized that the Nepalese student’s face filled more and more with confusion. He tried his best to understand and asked questions but he just wasn’t getting it.

I can honestly understand. Think about it…a virgin mother, a God who comes in human form and is born in a stable… all out of love. What a crazy turn of events! And…events that I believe happened!

Faith in Jesus as God’s son is powerful! First, and foremost, faith in Jesus, combined with God’s grace has saving power.

For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this not from yourselves, it is a gift of God—not by works, so that no one can boast.

Ephesians 2:8-9

In just a few weeks we will celebrate Jesus’s birth. The Christmas season can be filled with lots of doing things, lots of works. Whether its gift buying, cookie making, or even doing extra devotions, I can get lost in doing things, even doing things FOR Jesus, that I forget the reason for the season—Jesus.

Just now sitting down after a full day of activity, I sense the Spirit reminding me that it is not about doing things FOR Jesus but about having faith, believing that Jesus has already done everything for me. His perfect life and death on the cross for all of my sins is more than enough. It’s everything.

In Sunday’s sermon, Will also mentioned the power of faith. (You can find it here.) He reminded us that it is ok if we don’t make it all the way to our goals in life. Jesus is not keeping score or disappointed if we fail in what we are doing. He is more interested in our hearts, in a relationship, in going through life with us. Will said that “if we put our faith in God and put our foot on the path toward a goal, then He will take us the rest of the way.”

Therefore, this advent I want to ask the Lord to grow and deepen my faith in Him. I want to spend more time just being with Him, enjoying the path He where is leading me, instead of rushing around trying to do things for Him or for others.

I invite you in joining me in just being with Jesus. Enjoy him. And…for those situations where and when our faith is waning, when it all does seem a little too hard to believe, let’s come before the Lord with the prayer from Mark’s gospel:

I do, believe. Help me overcome my unbelief!

Mark 9: 24

Many blessings to you all!