A faith like that!

"We have around us so many people whose lives tell us what faith means. So let us run the race that is before us and never give up. We should remove from our lives anything that would get in the way and the sin that so easily holds us back. Let us look only to Jesus, the One who began our faith and who makes it perfect." Hebrews 12:1-2

In Max Lucado's book God's Inspirational Promises, there is a note titled "Strength" which says:
 "An example of faith was found on the wall of a concentration camp. On it a prisoner had carved the words: I believe in the sun, even though it doesn't shine, I believe in love, even when it isn't shown, I believe in God, even when he doesn't speak." I try to imagine the person who etched those words. I try to envision his skeletal hand gripping the broken glass or stone that cut into the wall. I try to imagine his eyes squinting through the darkness as he carved each letter. What and could have cut such a conviction? What eyes could have seen good in such horror? There is only one answer: Eyes that chose to see the unseen."

Wowza. I cannot even fathom my own self possessing the kind of strength of trust displayed from the prisoner in this story. I get overwhelmed even when things are going good and I often fear for how I will react when bad times come, and indeed they will. I have had my own struggles and dark times in my young life, but I have not suffered. Sometimes I feel like God is preparing me now to trust in Him in the good and bad.

I pray we can all have a disposition like Job's. God knew his heart and that he was "blameless and upright." God protected Job's very life even though Satan robbed him of everything else. Satan mocked God saying that the only reason Job was a faithful, God-fearing man was because he had everything at his disposal but that through the loss of his family, home, health and possessions he would reject the God he once loved. Everyone around Job viewed him as an ignorant, manipulated fool, but he remained steadfast. In the third chapter of the book of Job, he laments. He is utterly grief stricken and overwhelmed by sorrow and suffering. He is human and still must ask, "What strength do I have, that I should still hope?" (6:11) He cries out to God, what have I done to deserve this? Why have you not interceded on my behalf? Everyone will ask this question at some point. We often don't understand what or why we are forced to struggle and endure, but looking back we can see God's handiwork. It's all about perspective.

God always answers. Not in the way we may expect or understand, but He does. God finally says to Job, "Where were you when I laid the earth's foundations? Tell me, if you understand." (38:4) God asks him are you the one with the power over heaven and earth? Is it you who brings the dawn? Have you been shown the gates of death? Where is light and where is darkness? Job cannot answer these questions because God is God and we are not. Look at God's power. He is in control, not us and therefore we do not always need to understand. We certainly want to, but we can't and shouldn't. That is trust.

I want a faith like Job's. I want a faith like the prisoner in Lucado's story. In the last chapter, Job replies to God "I know that you can do all things...Surely I spoke of things I did not understand...My ears had heard of you but now my eyes have seen you." Job repents and is restored. I pray that we can all humbly come before God and admit we were wrong and weak, but our Lord is strong and just. Wake up to the sunrise and recognize you did not put it there, therefore you cannot know all there is to know or understand all the ways of the Creator. My best friend's blog is titled "Embracing the Mystery." This is so fitting for our daily journey with God. It's a beautiful mystery, but not a maze we are meant to feel trapped or lost in. Jesus directs our paths and His Word reveals the truth that provides a solid path to walk on. A faith like that changes everything.