I believe that God provides. I believe that he is working all things for the good of those who believe in Him. I believe he forgives us. I believe he loves us. I believe He refines us. I believe He is good – all the time.
I also believe that in the hustle of everyday life, in the grind, the monotony, the anxiety, the struggle, we lose sight of who God is. We lose perspective of how great He is. We lose relationship and closeness with Him. We even begin to lose our faith in Him.
In a year like 2020, many people have cried out in prayer, many have leaned on their faith, and many have come to know Christ. But a lot of people, myself included, have struggled to maintain their faith. Thousands of businesses have gone under, hundreds of thousands of loved ones have been lost, and millions are out of work. Churches have been shut down, politics have been extra divisive, and personal relationships have been challenging in the midst of a pandemic.
But through it all, God is good.
The hardest times provide the greatest opportunity for growth. The most challenging seasons are God’s grandest arena. We have all experienced hard times. Seasons of life that feel suffocating. Financial struggles that are paralyzing. Relational challenges that are crushing. Health diagnoses that are heartbreaking. All of these world-shaking situations are opportunities for God’s miracles to be on full display.
Notice I didn’t say they are opportunities for God to show up. No. God shows up ALL THE TIME. God is always there, with you, through thick and thin. Does that sound like some religious mumbo-jumbo? It’s not. It’s TRUTH.
In life, the only way we grow is through stress, and stress requires faith. When you work out, you place stress on your muscles; when learning something new, you place stress on your brain; when starting a business, you place stress on your finances; or when finding your spouse, you place stress on your emotions.
The beautiful thing about faith is it is present in all of these scenarios. When we work out, we have faith that lifting something heavy will make us stronger. When we learn something new, we have faith we will grasp and benefit from the knowledge. When we start a business, we have faith we will turn a profit. When we pursue a partner, we have faith we will find “the one.”
The question is, who or what do you put your faith in?
You can choose to put your faith in science, the stock market, a self-help guru, a relationship expert, or even yourself. Or you can choose to put your faith in God.
I choose God.
Why? Because I am far from perfect. I make mistakes on a daily basis. My emotions betray me, my intelligence is limited, and I have unintentional biases that skew my perception of the world around me. These are common symptoms of being human. We are broken and imperfect. We have flaws and shortcomings. We hurt people, on purpose or on accident. Anyone that denies these facts about themselves is either delusional or a liar.
Some people may argue that science and reason are where you should put your faith. I will never understand this position because science is simply humans attempting to create rules and a framework to explain and understand God’s creation. Reason falls short as well because it is a human construct that relies on human objectivity and intelligence for its validity.
God, on the other hand, is different. God is not human, God made humans. God is not science, God made science. God is not the universe, God made the universe.
The difference is startling. God is HUGE. And yet he cares about you. He knows you by name and knows every hair on your head. God is not a theory or a scientific method. God changes lives. God loves. God is real.
In a year like 2020, it has been so easy to lose sight of God and how big He is. At times, it has been easy to wonder where He has been or even forget about Him. I know I have felt that way many times this year.
I also know that God hasn’t moved or changed, I’m just looking in the wrong direction. I’m putting my faith in the wrong things.
But you know what’s amazing? Every time I turn around, He’s still there with open arms. When I slow down and sit for a moment, I realize He has been working for my good even when I wasn’t watching. That is God’s character. I tell my youth baseball team that character is who you are when no one is watching. God’s character is good, generous, faithful, compassionate, and loving. Whether you acknowledge Him or ignore Him, He is the same.
At times this year, I have completely ignored Him. I have put my head down and grinded away at my daily responsibilities putting my faith in my own abilities. Much of this year I have not been my best self and have had no intention of getting better every day. What’s most amazing about this year, is God’s faithfulness more than covers over my lack of faith. God has provided for my family, God has opened and closed doors, God has refined me, shepherded me, and blessed me.
And I didn’t even have to ask.
God has told me this year, “My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in your weakness.” (2 Corinthians 12:9). My weaknesses have been on full display this year and I, like Paul talking to the Corinthians, will boast in my weakness so I can brag on the strength of my God.
Today I am telling anyone who cares to read this that I am imperfect, broken, and weak. I have bad habits, doubts, and fear. I have anxiety about what the future holds and am terrified of being a bad husband, father, brother, son, or friend.
But even when I doubt, I know who holds the future. I know who goes before me, I know who stands behind me. I may not always see Him, but I know He is there. Working for my good because I believe.
Maybe you have had a tough year. Maybe you have turned from God. Maybe you don’t know God and you think I’m nuts. Wherever you stand today, I want you to know that if God can love me, forgive me, and provide for me, He is more than capable of loving, forgiving, and providing for you.
I know my previous blog posts have been about what we can do to better ourselves each and every day. That is a big deal and those are important topics that I am passionate about. But there is nothing more important or more valuable to pursue than a relationship with Christ. Any strategy for success, any gain in this life is worthless if we do not have faith.
If I could encourage you during this Christmas season, I hope that you will take a moment to reflect on your faith. Where do you put your faith? How healthy is your faith? Do you spend time on your faith? What questions or doubts do you have?
We are meant to live in community but COVID makes that a little tricky. Find someone to walk with about your faith. If you don't know who to talk to, shoot me an email! Go back to church or watch online. If you don’t have a church, find one! (We go to Red Rocks Church, give them a try!) Start a conversation about faith this Christmas, ask questions, seek truth. God will show up, He’s already there waiting for you.
Comments