Faith especially matters now

As I pen this, my heart and mind are filled with wonder. The full moon, which has been pounding my bedroom with its beams all night, has sunk into a cloud covering as if it were the sun. Beautiful! The sun, from the opposite side of the horizon, brings a burst of light that shadows the dropping moon. I can’t help but wonder what this day will hold.

One thing is for sure: this time of year can be so hard on so many. Working in a church you get a bird’s eye view of how difficult it can be. Many have lost loved ones, many face financial devastation, some marriages are coming unglued… many are just lonely in need of hope.

This week I hugged one of our dear members who just lost his bride of 67 years. As tears filled his eyes, he said with great compassion, “I just don’t know how people without faith can make it in this life.” I agree whole-heartedly.

Here lies the difference in having faith or choosing not to. If you believe in God and ask him into your life, the creator of the universe, his son, Jesus and his Holy Spirit will guide your life. Now how cool is that? If you choose not to be part of this awesome relationship you have chosen to be on your own. Not a good idea.

Working with many of our churches here in Fallbrook, I have found a loving network of small groups which have become like second families to their members. There are programs supported by our churches designed to comfort those who are grieving. Our churches support our military, have divorce recovery groups as well as all the AA programs. Our pastors visit our sick and dying and bring them the good news. It’s a wonderful way of living.

So this Christmas season, if you are feeling alone, unfulfilled or lost, make the rounds. Find the right church and jump into the arms of our Lord, made flesh by his believers. Our Lord is still embracing his people some 2,000-plus years through the gift of faith and that is why faith matters.

“For this reason I kneel before the Father, from whom his whole family in heaven and on earth derives its name. I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being, so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, may have power, together with all the saints, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, and to know this love that surpasses knowledge – that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God.” (Ephesians 3:14-19)