“Blessed is the man who has remained steadfast under trial, for when he has stood the test he will receive the crown of life, which God has promised to those who love him” - James 1:12 (ESV).
The way babies take their first steps has many lessons even for adults how to grow in faith. For every child to start walking begins with taking those faltering steps. In my local language there is a saying that a bull only grows after suffering hard blows. The child falls. Then rises, quite unfazed, to begin taking those steps, because he has his sights set much higher. Someday he makes it, a bit bruised but only because he never gave up. The struggle becomes worthwhile.
Much so, even the Christian faith, has many faltering steps and obstacles along the way. These could be struggles with beliefs of our faith. There can be personal challenges like loss of a job or failure of a business. A believer may suffer continually from bouts of poor health. Hopes and expectations in people can be dashed. Any believer may face opposition or persecution on account of sharing his faith in the market place.
The believer like the baby who falters must be willing to rise up again and again because he has his sights on a much higher goal. What makes always people give up so soon on any task is when their goals are so much low. But those whose sights are set on something much higher than themselves do persist. The Apostle Paul once encouraged the believers in Corinth by reminding them, “We are hard pressed on every side but not crushed; perplexed but not in despair; persecuted but not abandoned; struck down, but not destroyed” (2 Cor 4: 8-9). That is the way.
Prayer for today: Lord Father God of Abraham, whenever my faith is beset with all manner of challenges may I persevere as my sights are set on a much higher goal in Christ.
Related upcoming events
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06/05/2024 - 07/05/2024 All day“Do not confirm to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is- his good, pleasing and perfect will” (Romans 12:2)
Almost all cultivators are aware that if soils are used perpetually without rains but constantly under work they are deprived of all nutrients. So, though once productive, they lose all power to yield fresh crops as before. But so is our Christian life when we do not regularly feed our spirit life with the Word!
In our leading verse, the Apostle Paul is urging believers to “renew” their minds rather than make them stale, lest they end up losing all power to yield fruit. But how is this done? We renew our minds by constantly reading the Word of God, for there are always insights with God speaking to us afresh. Psalm 119:104-5 says, “I gain understanding from your precepts; therefore I hate every wrong path. Your word is a lamp for my feet, a light on my path.” The Apostle Peter reminds us, “Like newborn babies hungry for milk, you should want the pure teaching that feeds your spirit. With it you can grow and be saved.” It is a beautiful illustration for any who have seen a hungry baby sucking the teats of a mother.
Renewing our minds is also by reading about the lives of people of faith who have walked before us and their created works. The Christian faith started in the first century after Jesus was crucified and resurrected from the dead. Now over two millenniums it has produced giants of faith who have shared their walk with God through inspired teachings that are a treasure to dig into. By scouring the writings of the great saints before us, listening to their recorded sermons, songs and preaching, which these days can be found on virtual medial channels like Yu tube, reading their biographies, our faith is renewed.
And then we also renew our faith through fellowship. When the Apostle Paul urges us, “not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching” ( Hebrews 10:25), he is reminding us that our faith cannot grow in isolation. During the Covid pandemic lockdown one bitter issue was denying Believers opportunity to meet fellow followers of Christ to share testimonies showing the work of God in their lives.
So today, if your faith is on a low keel, or you want it to flower, one thing you can’t help doing without is “renewing” your mind. The blessings to unfold are endless.
Prayer for today:Lord Father God of Abraham, maker of heaven and earth, what a treasure we have of your rich Word to dig into always; books around us of faith to inspire us; and believers to share our faith- may we make use of these, this I pray in Jesus’ name.
