Faith & Life (Part 5)

Reports a wife & mother of two grown children at Hillside, "Life and faith are so connected that I can't envision my life without faith. I find it difficult to imagine how anyone can deal with the 'stuff of life' without faith - faith not just in an abstract 'higher power' or some generalized 'giver of life' but faith in a personal God, a God who is not worshiped from afar, but who is genuinely concerned for me as an individual. This 'God of the Bible' loved me enough to send his cherished Son, Jesus, to not only show me the way to live life, but to die and be raised again so that I can have a caring relationship with Him forever. How awesome is that!" She goes on to state, "Having such a personal, caring God in my life, someone to share the many, many joys of life has helped me go through the tough times, too. Times when grief pierced my heart like a knife as I experienced one loss after another - some through broken relationships, others through divorce while others through accidents, disease, alcohol and drugs. He's also been there in times of chronic pain and financial hardship. He understands not only my hopes and dreams, but also my questions, my uncertainties, my imperfections, and my failures! While God never promised me He'd spare me from life's difficulties, He has promised me forgiveness, acceptance, a comforter in the person of the Holy Spirit, and a promise that He would never, ever leave me. The fact that He will always be there for me, no matter what life brings - that's a promise, a certainty I can count on. That's a 'living faith' which I can believe in!"

As I've reflected on those words, I'm reminded of the words of Jesus spoken to Thomas (John 20:29):

"You believe because you have seen me. Blessed are those who haven't seen me and believe anyway."

A faith which is 'alive' and 'connected' to life is what God offers to humanity. On the other hand, a faith which is 'dead' and 'unconnected to real life' often leaves behind a stench. It does have 'similarities' to 'living faith' but in the end it is powerless to transform human life where we are able to say, "Once I was lost but now I'm found - Was blind but now I see"! In the words of Woody Allen, "There is no question that there is an unseen world. The problem is, how far is it from midtown and how late is it open?" John Fischer, author & popular speaker in Southern California, writes in his devotional "24-hour faith" the following: "Christians believe there is an unseen world that in some ways is more real than the one we see. Not that the one we see isn't real, but the unseen world sometimes is thought of as being more important because of its permanence. The unseen one will last forever; this one is temporary, and yet for now, this temporary one is our reality.

That's why I like Woody Allen's question about how far the unseen world is from us and how late it stays open. In other words: How accessible is this unseen world? I think he may be on to something. As the saying goes: Some Christians are so heavenly minded, they're of no earthly good. The Gospel is all about caring for the real human needs of people, not just about getting them into heaven. Faith that doesn't show itself by good deeds is no faith at all – it is dead and useless. (James 2:17)

Jesus Christ brought the Good News of the Kingdom of heaven to earth, but he didn't just touch down for a momentary appearance. Sometimes we forget he carried on a ministry here for three years. He connected with and did something about the suffering needs of the sick, dying, and mentally ill. Faith in action brings two worlds together.

The reality of heaven doesn't make earth less real or less important. If our longing for heaven and focus on eternity is disengaging us from earth, we should probably check and see if we have the right heaven. If we have the right heaven, the opposite should happen. The more committed we are to heaven (the more we get an eternal perspective on life), the more deeply we will be committed to this life and those around us. Heaven brings meaning to earth, not an escape. It brings dignity to every human being, a reason for our existence and a desire to want to connect everyone to God.

When Jesus came, one of the first things he did was announce that the Good News of the Kingdom of heaven had come. Heaven is at hand. Let's live in such a way as to show people like Mr. Allen that the unseen world is right around the corner, and what's more, it stays open all night."

(To be cont'd)

A new feature has been added to our monthly article: If faith in the 'God of the Bible' has made a difference in your life, why not consider sharing that experience with your readers through sending us a 'brief bio', to Box S 0315, attn. Bill, C/0 Aldergrove Star, 27106 Fraser Highway, Aldergrove, B. C. V4W 3P6