When reading Luke 8 this morning, the stark contrast between fear and faith kept resurfacing. This distinction is clearly made by Jesus in multiple times in Lk. 8 (Jesus calming the storm, Jairus' daughter, and the woman with hemorrhages), and is present in many other parts of the three Gospels. In this chapter specifically, those who chose faith invited Jesus to act and redeem the situation. Those who chose fear didn't tap into this incredible, powerful redemption (even though Jesus still worked in situations where fear was present).
The choice between fear and faith is one that we make every single day of our lives. We discussed this in our young adult group a couple months ago, and it stuck with me. In the Gospels, Jesus challenges many times to live in faith alone. Personally, I wonder how many times I have had true, unadulterated faith. By acting in faith, we tap into the power of God (one that we will never fully understand), and incredible, even miraculous things can happen.
This sentiment (and many other factors) have aided me in making the decision to stay in my current position of Children, Youth, and Young Adult Ministry Intern in Jackson for another year. While it is difficult to make another year commitment at this age, I have faith that God will continue to provide, and need to act on this. God has been teaching me very much in my current position, and I am confident that He will continue to do this for another year. My passion for sharing God's love to those here in Jackson seems to grow each week. I have also been blown away by the way that people in Jackson have reached out and embraced me with open arms. It is so exciting that we don't have to rely on our own devices, but can faithfully rely on the LORD each and every day for our sustenance.
"Have you not known? Have you not heard? The LORD is the everlasting God, the Creator to the ends of the earth. He does not faint or grow weary; His understanding is unsearchable.
He gives power to the faint, and strengthens the powerless. Even youths grow faint and weary, and the young will fall exhausted; but those who wait for the LORD shall renew their strength, they shall mount up with wings like eagles, they shall run and not be weary, they shall walk and not be faint"
Isaiah 40:28-31
Think about how you can wait for the LORD in true faith every day of your life...you might be surprised at how He sustains your soul and provides for you in every way! Thanks again for all of your prayers!
Picture collage made by our Youth Group at last weekend's 30 Hour Famine (which was very successful). The pictures portray sin in the world, and the cross shines through, illustrating how the work of Jesus conquered (and still conquers!) all sin.
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