Faith!

   Last week’s blog focused our attention on repentance.  Today I want to have us think about faith.  Consider the various things and people that we have faith in, believing that 

• People driving vehicles will stay in their lanes on the streets and highways
• the food and water we consume is really safe for us.
• Doctors know what they are doing when they check on our health, do surgeries, etc.
• Engineers and builders will make buildings and bridges safe for our daily use.

 
   And we could go on and on with all the many things and people that we trust in our society.  And not all of them are things that we can see.  For example, we trust that the air we breathe (usually invisible, except maybe during the winter) has enough oxygen for us to stay alive.  Or how about our internal organs (that most of us have not seen).  Will my heart keep beating?  Will my stomach receive the food I eat (well, if not, we all know what happens then!)
 
   We also know that all of these things and people sometimes fail, and our faith in them doesn’t stop them from harming us or others.
 
   When Jesus began His public ministry, He began with this sermon:  “The kingdom of God has come near; repent and believe in the good news.”  (Mark 1:15)  Repent…and believe!
 
   I realize that we no longer see Jesus.  And His instructions lead to all kinds of things that are invisible (like trusting in the forgiveness of sins, and eternal life with God).  So can we trust Him?
 
   It seems if we can trust our heart to keep beating, and that a bridge will hold up the weight of all those vehicles, then surely we can give God in Christ the faith to trust in Him!  And God is faithful; he will always keep His promises.  His gift of repentance and faith is promised!
    As we are asked to wait and watch for the Advent of the Messiah, may we call on God to give us the repentance and faith we need.  And be assured:  He will do what he has promised!