)If we say faith, what comes to mind? In Filipino, it is called "pananampalataya."
It's like going to Baguio. Faith is taking the foggy road, just following the lights from the vehicles in front of you and you know you'll make it. It's not what you see, but what you believe in.
By faith, Abraham obeyed when God called him to go to the Promised Land (Heb. 11:8
). It's hard to be a missionary like Abraham, but Abraham left everything (Gen. 12:1-2). That is how to be a missionary - live one's place of birth for another place.God was really asking Abraham's obedience. Obedience is the child of faith. The opposite is rebellion. It was the story of Jonah.
Abraham left town at the age of 75. To mission is not just to go to another place, but to leave our "Ur" - our vices, bad habits to our Promised Land. Abraham had no one to look up to, unlike us today. He just relied on faith, he just listened to God.
There are other figures in the Bible who left their old life for God - Levi or Matthew, Zaccheus, St. Paul. How about us, what is God asking us to detach ourselves from?
True faith involves willingness to wait. In Canaan, Abraham had nothing but a tent, yet he waited. Abraham, Isaac and Jacob - they all lived in tent. Impatient people easily lose faith.
Waiting is one of life's greatest disciplines. Waiting is not a wasted time, it's when we see how tough we are. St. Faustina had months when she couldn't see God. But she waited and she became a saint. And so did Mother Teresa.
The time of waiting is like a play. While we wait, a lot of things are happening backstage - costumes fitting, props fixing. When the curtains open, we see a great work. If you believe that one day the curtains will open, you will see what you are waiting for.
A person who can't wait returns to his old life and he becomes seven times worse. St. Paul tells us to leave everything behind and look to what lies ahead (Phil. 3:13
). We're all citizens of heaven, we're just journeying here. We're like tourists. If we become comfortable here, we might forget heaven.Emperor Charlemagne wanted to die sitting down holding the Bible, with one of his fingers pointing to Mt. 16:26. Years after his death, his men checked him and found him just as he ordered.
True faith involves willingness to sacrifice. Abraham was asked to offer up his child; God promised him to multiply his people. Isaac was his only prized possession, yet he still followed. What made him follow? He believed God can raise his son back to life (Heb. 11:19
).The challenge is upon us: What does God want us to do? The rich, young man turned away sad after refusing to receive God's offer. He had many more plans for himself.
Why do people don't like to follow? Why are they no longer risk-takers? Our tendency is to be safe. We have insurance plans for our death, our retirement, etc. We have forgotten to trust in God.
Three truths about faith:
1) God sees things that we don't see and know things that we don't know.
We're like guitar strings, with different tensions in life. But we're brought together. If we are not working together, harmony is lost.
2) God has a plan for our lives that are very much beyond what we can imagine.
What is to see in heaven? There will be no more tears. One thing is for sure, we will see Jesus. The dying rich man says, "I'm leaving home." The poor man who has served God says, "I'm coming home."
3) God doesn't care about our qualifications, but our heart.
Please wait...
