"Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see." [Hebrews 11:1 NIV] In these times, 2009, many may find it difficult to live by faith or even to have faith or hold onto hope. However, if you and I have nothing to believe in or nothing to hope for, then the outlook is fairly dismal.
Please make no mistake. It is not always easy to hold on to our faith and look forward to the unseen and unknown. Living by faith is a struggle in and of itself. The writer of the Book of Hebrews goes on to describe how the ancients lived by faith and God's Word. Consider Noah, who set about building the largest vessel known on earth as directed by a heavenly voice. What faith that must have taken to undertake such a project and suffer ridicule at the hands of those hurling insults and other objects at Noah as he worked.
God may not be asking you or me to build an ark, but life may be just as challenging as it was for Noah. The question is whether or not we are able to hold on to hope until the future is unveiled. If we choose to believe, we have another promise "'For I know the plans I have for you,' declares the LORD, 'plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.'" [Jeremiah 29:11 NIV] For me, the last eight months have been filled with a fair amount of challenges, heartaches and disappointments.
There is a reminder for all of us which is found in a letter written by Paul to the church at Philippi. He writes, "Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal..." [Philippians 3:13b-14a NIV] Of course, Paul is setting forth an example from his own life and his own faith as he discusses keep your eyes on the heavenly goal. From faith's perspective, Paul goes on to say, "All of us who are mature should take such a view of things." [Philippians 3:15a NIV] People who are guided by faith will consider Paul's instruction and apply to the rest of their lives as well.
Therefore, never stop believing that there is a greater purpose and a goal which you and I may not yet see. No one ever said it was going to be easy. In reality, it will take every ounce of strength, determination and will power that we have to keep the faith, to hold on to hope, and to keep pressing on toward the goal which lay ahead. "May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit." [Romans 15:13 NIV]
~ DB Turnmire
Showing posts with label hope. Show all posts
Showing posts with label hope. Show all posts
Wednesday, June 17, 2009
Saturday, April 18, 2009
Fragile Life
How fragile is this life we lead anyway? The answer to that question will, of course, depend on your personal perspective. Where have you come from and where are you going? What are the foundational principles upon which you pursue your daily life?
During the spring of the year as nature renews itself, reminders of the fragility of life are all around us. Delicate young plants shoot forth from the earth seeking sunlight. Baby animals of both domestic and untamed species make their appearances on the planet. Millions of farmers and gardeners till the soil, plant the seeds and begin the tedious task of nurturing multitudes of flowers and crops toward maturity.
Consider what happens when not enough rain falls to water the soil. Seedling wither and die, grass becomes dried fuel for fires and the earth may become scorched by winds and, on occasion, wildfires - some caused by nature, others caused by mankind. The cycle goes on in nature if plants die and crops fail. When food is not available for animals, those precious babies may starve to death. On the other hand, a different kind of destruction may happen when there is too much rain and flood waters overtake the land. The results may actually be similar in the end.
There should be no doubt that life as we know it is in a fragile state. In our world today, in the midst of economic crisis, financial distress and foreclosure chaos, human life is more fragile than ever. Millions of families and inidviduals have lost their jobs, are unable to meet their mortgage payments and risk becoming homeless. Even renters have found themselves looking for a new place to call home because of a foreclosure on their rental housing. The stress of losing income and homes has taken its toll on many individuals. Recent news headlines relate the pain and sorrow that some have faced.
Countless individuals among us would never have imagined the state of the world today in our lifetimes. It seems as though there once existed an air of immunity - that this could not happen, especially in the United States of America. Yet here we are on April 18, 2009. If we look closely, we may actually see some signs of progress or recovery.
Hope for a better tomorrow and live each day as if it might be your last. Some may think that to be a morbid thought but I remember a story which I have heard more than once over the years. A young mother was asked how she would teach her young child "to live". She replied, "I will teach my child how to die because in preparing him to die, I will also be teaching him how to live each day of his life."
Life is fragile but just imagine how different life would be if every one of us lived each day as if it were our last. How different would we look at the simple things in life? Would we treat others with the dignity and respect they deserve? Would we make the most of every opportunity that was presented to us? It is most certainly something to think about.
~ DB Turnmire
During the spring of the year as nature renews itself, reminders of the fragility of life are all around us. Delicate young plants shoot forth from the earth seeking sunlight. Baby animals of both domestic and untamed species make their appearances on the planet. Millions of farmers and gardeners till the soil, plant the seeds and begin the tedious task of nurturing multitudes of flowers and crops toward maturity.
Consider what happens when not enough rain falls to water the soil. Seedling wither and die, grass becomes dried fuel for fires and the earth may become scorched by winds and, on occasion, wildfires - some caused by nature, others caused by mankind. The cycle goes on in nature if plants die and crops fail. When food is not available for animals, those precious babies may starve to death. On the other hand, a different kind of destruction may happen when there is too much rain and flood waters overtake the land. The results may actually be similar in the end.
There should be no doubt that life as we know it is in a fragile state. In our world today, in the midst of economic crisis, financial distress and foreclosure chaos, human life is more fragile than ever. Millions of families and inidviduals have lost their jobs, are unable to meet their mortgage payments and risk becoming homeless. Even renters have found themselves looking for a new place to call home because of a foreclosure on their rental housing. The stress of losing income and homes has taken its toll on many individuals. Recent news headlines relate the pain and sorrow that some have faced.
Countless individuals among us would never have imagined the state of the world today in our lifetimes. It seems as though there once existed an air of immunity - that this could not happen, especially in the United States of America. Yet here we are on April 18, 2009. If we look closely, we may actually see some signs of progress or recovery.
Hope for a better tomorrow and live each day as if it might be your last. Some may think that to be a morbid thought but I remember a story which I have heard more than once over the years. A young mother was asked how she would teach her young child "to live". She replied, "I will teach my child how to die because in preparing him to die, I will also be teaching him how to live each day of his life."
Life is fragile but just imagine how different life would be if every one of us lived each day as if it were our last. How different would we look at the simple things in life? Would we treat others with the dignity and respect they deserve? Would we make the most of every opportunity that was presented to us? It is most certainly something to think about.
~ DB Turnmire
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