Faith promises a brighter tomorrow

by John Hawkins news@thecherokeean.com

No doubt these past 11 months have been a trying and difficult year for everyone. By this time, we all know of someone who has been touched by the COVID-19 virus. Sadly, many of our friends or family members have succumbed to the all too often deadly scourge that has spread throughout the world.

We look forward with hope and faith that 2021 will be better, but exactly what is hope? What gives us the belief that soon the joblessness, the hunger, the loneliness will get better? Exactly what is the hope for the future? The faith that it will get better?

I pulled out my dusty Webster’s dictionary for guidance on this question and this is what they had to say about it:

FAITH means belief, firm persuasion, assurance, firm conviction, faithfulness. Complete trust or confidence in someone or something.

TRUST means firm belief in the reliability, truth, ability, or strength of someone or something.

Seems simple doesn’t it? Is it? The thought or belief in something we can’t see, smell or touch. That’s where faith enters the picture.

An agnostic friend asked me how I can be so sure there is a God? My simple answer was Faith!

During the course of mankind, every civilization understood that there was something greater than they were. Whether it was a single deity or multiple, they all understood how small and weak we are as humans and that there is an unseen power guiding us. That faith in tomorrow is what keeps all of us going.
As Christians we share the promise God made to us, “that whosoever believes in Him will not perish but have eternal life.” In my opinion, that simple verse is the basis of our entire Christian faith. A faith that is unseen but trusted and felt and understood. A faith that no matter what, we are loved by God and all He asks in return is that we return that same love to Jesus.

This time of year is traditionally a time when many people get lonely or sad. Some get stressed and depressed at not having anyone to share this holiday season with. Domestic disputes increase and with it, violence in the home.
I look around at so many problems in within our community. The long lines at food distributions. Children that don’t have enough to eat. Families in health care facilities they can’t visit. People worry about how they will pay bills, rent, electricity, gas and the simple act of putting food on the table.

This time of year should serve to remind all of us that there is a brighter tomorrow and that no matter what, we have a God that loves us. “For God so loved the world he gave his only begotten Son” John 3:16.

Do any of us deserve His love? Can you honestly say you’ve followed the teachings of Jesus and have loved your fellow man as He commands? If Jesus knocked on your door, would you tremble in terror or welcome Him into your home knowing you’ve lived a life, not in fear, but in devotion for the gift of the Holy child that was born out of God’s love?

Jesus was that gift given by God to all mankind on this day to give us the hope and the faith that things will get better and darkness of the world will not persist.

As we celebrate Christmas, let’s all remember the reason for Christmas. That on this day a child was born who would take away our sins and give us faith in the future. All we need to do is trust in the Lord.

That pretty much sums up what we all feel. Things will get better in 2021.

Faith is confidence in what we hope for and the assurance that the Lord is working, even though we cannot see it. Faith knows that no matter what the situation, in our lives or someone else’s, that the Lord is working in it.