Faith

READING 1 Peter 1:3-5

Praised be the God and Father
of our Lord Jesus Christ,
he who in his great mercy
gave us new birth;
a birth unto hope which draws its life
from the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead;
a birth to an imperishable inheritance,
incapable of fading or defilement,
which is kept in heaven for you
who are guarded with God’s power through faith;
a birth to a salvation which stands ready
to be revealed in the last days.

Tonight's reading again addresses our brevity upon the earth. The encouragement is here to look ahead to our share in the eternal kingdom, bolstered by the promise of God's powerful protection through our faith. I can understand that sometimes it feels we have been abandoned. Sometimes we question God's plan. Why would God allow the death of a loved one to happen? Why would God allow planes to be flown into the World Trade Center towers? Why would God allow children to suffer disease? Many more questions abound. But these are questions we can not answer. We can reason that they are all connected to our freedom to chose right from wrong through the gift of free will, but it does not answer to God's purpose in these events. We can languish in these thoughts with no answer, but that's what draws us away from God. 

      We are asked to place all trust in His plan, regardless of how hard that might be. This may anger us. This may cause us to question God's existence. But again, what does it mean to have faith?  Faith does not seek evidence. Faith does not try to reason. Faith is simple. Faith is belief. How can we believe? Jesus told His followers that unless they were like children, they would not enter the kingdom of the Father. I believe He meant our faith. Children have great faith. They believe without seeing and trust what they have been told. That is the faith we strive for. So recover your youth. Be a child again and truly believe.......and all will be yours.

- peace.