June 7: Guest Blogger

Thanks to Pastor Jef for writing today's entry.
Fifty Blogger Bonus Points for him!

“Life's challenges are not supposed to paralyze you; they're supposed to help you discover who you are.” ~Bernice Johnson Reagon

Jana’s original question causes one to take pause and ponder one’s responses to the challenges of faith – and of life. As believers, we gain encouragement from biblical stories that help us understand how God blesses those who respond to difficult circumstances in faith. For instance:

Abraham takes his son Isaac to a high place to sacrifice him (because God told him to do so). Talk about a challenge to one’s faith – being told to sacrifice the son whose very birth was an answer to prayer. Abraham shows his willingness to submit to God’s will and God calls off the sacrifice. Indeed, God is good.

Joseph is despised by his brothers to the point that they sell him into slavery and concoct a story for their father that he was attached and killed by a wild beast. Later, when Joseph had risen to a position of power in the ruler Pharaoh’s court, he is thrown into prison on a trumped up charge, later released and became director of agriculture in Egypt. Through all this, Joseph remained faithful to God and the time came when he was able to rescue from a famine the very brothers that years ago sold him as a slave. Indeed, God is merciful.

The Bible is full of stories of men and women being faithful to God even as they confront life’s challenges. Our lives are really no different. There are times with disappointment threatens to overwhelm us, rejection comes at us with a hammer-blow, and sacrifice is required of us beyond our desire to submit. We realize being created in God’s image doesn’t give us a free pass in life.

When we are challenged it is our faith that gives us the desire and ability to make the right choice and do the right thing. Because we have given God highest priority in our lives, we know that whatever the outcome, the Spirit of God is present with us and we can count on God’s unconditional love and merciful grace. We do not walk through life alone.

I am thankful that God does not ask me or expect me to live my life of faith in isolation. God has called me into a community (right here at BUMC) that supports me and as I support others and is a place where I can live out and share my faith with my sisters and brothers in Christ. BUMC provides mental and spiritual refreshment for me and renews me when my energies are diminished. My congregational connection is an important support and resource system God has given me (and every one of you) to live out my faith and to meet the challenges of life.

"Be strong. Take courage. Don't be intimidated. Don't give [that which challenges you] a second thought because God, your God, is striding ahead of you. He's right there with you. He won't let you down; he won't leave you." ~Deuteronomy 31.6