The Light of Faith brings Life

Patches of blotchy red fever-heat blazed on Jimmy’s pale cheeks.  Mom moved the damp cloth gently across his forehead.

“Honey, I will be right back.”

“No, Mommy, don’t go,” whimpered Jimmy.

“Sissy is in the next room.  I will only be a few minutes.  The store is just around the corner.  We have to have some medicine and fluids to help you fight this infection.”

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Every adult understands a scenario like the one above.  The mother is not abandoning the child or taking a vacation from responsibility.  Stepping away is the best thing the parent can do.   From the child’s perspective, it is terrifying.  Already weak and frightened by the weakness, a child clings to the only comfort in the moment.  Letting go of that comfort for something hoped for is hard.  That letting go demands faith:

“Faith is being certain of what we hope for… “ Hebrews 11:1

As Christians, the life we are called to is a life of faith.  It is hard.  If someone has told you that Christianity makes life easy, they lied to you.  A life of faith trusts Jesus Christ whether the present reality is comfortable or not.  We live in a world with increasing discomfort.  From crazed gunmen to erratic weather, uncertainties abound.  Faith though, gives security and the peace that passes understanding from a worldly perspective.

As Christ faced his greatest crisis on earth, He said some incredibly faith-building things.  As Judas departed to betray Him, Christ said “Now glory comes.”  In the earthly realm, betrayal precipitated death.  In the spiritual realm, betrayal precipitated glory!  That is the economy of faith! Knowing the Father changes everything.

Christ went on to encourage His disciples, but surely, it did not feel like encouragement to them.  He said, “I am getting ready to go.  But I will be back.  My going away is good for you.”  Like the child in our opening, the words would have brought terror.  But His going away precipitated the arrival of the Spirit–and opened the door for disciples to do greater works than Christ through His answering our prayers.

Whatever the dark time is that you are facing, listen for the words of Christ.  Dig into His word, ask Him for insights:  For the Words of Christ are the Words of God–and they work!  We have not been left in this world as orphans.  We are the children of God when we live in love and walk out the Word.  Obedience opens the door to Light–and Light is life!

What is your dark season? How does it feel when emotions tell you you are alone, but you know that Jesus is faithful and never leaves you?