Editorial A- Fall 2006
Canada Geese © D. F. Higbee 2005
People of the Promise
Have you ever noticed that trying to understand faith is like trying to figure out what's in those food labels that all end in -ate,-ite, or -ene. It's tough to grasp it, especially when things are not going particularly well in your life. We all go through the valleys and desolate places in our lives, but do we understand that there are rich promises in store for those who overcome their emotions, their pain, and their fears to keep on going in the midst of it? We can do that, because we are like the geese pictured above- we are paired with the Father for life. And He will never leave us nor forsake us.
Let me encourage you: even if you've failed in the past, you don't have to fail now. Even if you feel abandoned, alone, lost and fearful, you don't have to be so now. There is a God who is a lover of men, not the mean one you've always heard of, but the Christ who gave His all for every joy, peace, and abundance you can imagine. (John 10:10)
Everyone I know has felt a little overwhelmed at the depths of problems this year, both in the world, and in their own lives. People have fought sickness and disease, financial difficulties, relationship upheavals, ad every other kind of distraction. Not counting the "wars and rumors of wars" throughout the earth. Plus, within the Body of Christ there is competition, itching ears, constant entertainment to the point that ordinary people are often ignored. It's easy to give up in all of that and say that God has no reason for you to live or place for you in His plan. Take this note and place it on your refrigerator in bold, large letters:
"FOR I KNOW THE PLANS THAT I THINK TOWARD YOU, SAITH THE LORD, THOUGHTS OF PEACE, AND NOT OF EVIL, TO GIVE YOU AN EXPECTED END. (FUTURE). THEN YE SHALL CALL UPON ME AND YE SHALL GO AND PRAY UNTO ME AND I WILL HEARKEN UNTO YOU. AND YE SHALL SEEK ME AND FIND ME, WHEN YE SHALL SEARCH FOR ME WITH ALL YOUR HEART." Jeremiah 29:11 KJV
Remember the criteria for blessing in Hebrews 11? That we have to believe that He exists and that He is a rewarder of those who seek Him? That doesn't take much. I use the sky as a reminder. Bright blue, fluffy white clouds, big storm rolls in and covers up the sun. By the end of the day, the world is drenched. But, aha! As the sun begin to set in the sky, streaks of gold and white light begin to pierce the clouds. And suddenly...a rainbow arches across the sky...maybe even two rainbows! I look at that, and I see God's mercy and infinite love. The dark places in our lives will eventually come to an end, if we simply seek Him to help us.
If you have given your heart to Jesus, then you are a people of promise. He will not fail. Psalm 23 is still the word that applies to you even if you got sick of your Mother or Grandmother spouting it off to you every Sunday. Go read it again. He is hope. He is the lover of your life, and the Maker of your pathway. Keep on walking, keep on hoping, keep on trusting no matter what you see or feel. There is a banquet table awaiting you!