A Continuance of Faith

Happy #faithfilledfriday 🤍

Faith.

These all died in faith, not having received the promises, but having seen them afar off were assured of them, embraced them and confessed that they were strangers and pilgrims on the earth.—Hebrews‬ ‭11‬:‭13‬ ‭NKJV‬‬

In my humanness, there are times that I relate the promises of God to only the here and now—since what I can sense and the tangibles are my present reality. The practical and logical parts of me try to make sense of all things that concern me to be honest (insert Jeezy haha), but faith asks me to [many times] blindly trust a plan with an unforeseeable future—hence, my flesh and spirit warring.

I find inspiration whenever I read and dive into the “faith hall of fame inductees,” if you will. They truly lived their lives with the hope of God’s promises. Their beliefs were tested, their dreams and goals were tested, their loyalty and their hearts were tested—by events and outcomes that seemed to refute the promise(s). Yet they prevailed—not because of the outcome but because of the assurance of who God was to them. Faith.

Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen (Hebrews 11:1).

Some of them didn’t seem human to me lol I know they were. Maybe because they seemed to follow without hesitation and little to no wavering. Some of the asks and sacrifices seemed too grand, yet their reverence for God was greater. One or two turned to their own way, but always returned to God. They didn’t know “the plans” but they believed “the thoughts” that God would give them an expected end. They could anticipate and even embrace their lives and the season because of this Hope. That is the power of faith upon whom we rely. They lived as if they would live again.

This temporary home is filled with blessings and joys, which are gifts of this borrowed time. I pray that our faith in God carries us on our journey as we navigate the terrains of unchangeable, unbearable, and unbelievable. I pray that our faith in God allows us to live freely—even when a part of us dies. I pray that our faith in God is not swayed by the evils in the heart of people and of this world. And I pray that the love of God is known even when hope is afar and not yet realized or seen.

I know myself well enough to know that all I’ve had in certain moments and circumstances was God—there was no scripture, no words, no person, no NOTHING, that could change the outcome or my reality—that change is what I wanted my hope that doesn’t disappoint to be. But life and this world is full of disappointment, grief, pain, and wickedness; things that are unfair and situations that make absolutely no sense. Things I realized that some of these inductees were faced with and yet did NOT waver in their faith in God. Maybe questioned, maybe frustrated and angry with, maybe surprised with God—but they maintained their faith upon the One in whom they relied.

This past season and even now, God is asking me to put complete faith in Him no matter the circumstances. To cling no matter the outcome. To seek no matter the waiting period. To be human and not be ruled by the flesh. To be spiritual by submitting and being a doer of the word. So I’m thankful for these inductees who have shown it is possible and that with the God nothing is impossible. That promise that is afar is one that is guaranteed—and that is something I can joy and hope in now and in the time to come. You too.

Peace, love, & blessings,

JCB