Everybody got faith... in something
Some trust in chariots and some in horses, but we trust in the name of the Lord our God. –Psalm 20:7 (NIV)
What do you put your faith in? Because we all have faith. Even people who claim to be atheists have faith in something, even if it’s in their belief in non-belief. Some trust in themselves. Some trust in wealth, fame, power, beauty, skill, intellect…. The list is pretty well endless. The problem with all these things is they’re finite, temporary, in the process of dying and being forgotten.
That fact leads to a question of purpose. If my faith is in things that are passing away, then my existence becomes pretty meaningless. I can invest myself in noble causes, sacrifice my comfort or even my life for family, country, and the good of others. That will likely provide more satisfaction than a life spent to please only myself, but if all those causes are as temporary as I am, what have I actually accomplished?
The invitation of the gospel is to raise our sights, to lift our gaze and level up. By placing our faith in eternal things, there is a higher purpose. Things that I might otherwise strive for become a means to the end of honoring my Maker, rather than an end unto themselves. My life becomes a training ground, preparing me for eternal life in His presence.
And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him. –Hebrews 11:6 (NIV)
The activities that occupy our days might actually look very similar to those engaged in otherwise noble pursuits, with this important distinction: The life that points heavenward knows there is something being built that transcends what we will do in this lifetime. And it seeks to shine a light that invites others to come along on the journey.
For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. –2 Corinthians 4:17 (NIV)
You may say, “That all sounds real nice, but what about the pain I’ve had to endure, or (and this can be even worse) the guilt of pain I’ve inflicted on others? If your god is so good, what about that?” Well, that might be the best part of all. I’ve heard it said that heaven will be so beautiful, so perfect, so wonderful that we won’t even remember the trials of this life. I don’t believe that for a minute.
For those in Christ, two things are true: First, there is forgiveness. Second there is redemption. Our pain is never wasted, but used to form and transform us into the likeness of the Son. To my way of thinking, each trial I endured on earth will be uncovered in heaven. The puzzle pieces will suddenly fit and it will become obvious why my Father allowed me to experience all of it.
In that instant, with eyes wide open, I will understand what I could only guess at in this life, as I stand thankful before a God who knew the pain of the cross and loved me enough not to deny me my own cross. For without it, I would not be the person I became. I wouldn’t have had a story and I wouldn’t have had a light and I wouldn’t have had a purpose. That’s what I put my faith in.
He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away. –Revelation 21:4 (NIV)