I took this picture the other day of my daughter, Faith, walking outside in the fall leaves. And, sitting down now, wanting to write about these days, I couldn’t help but think– that’s exactly what life is like at the moment. “Faith walking”… what a perfect picture and description of how I feel. Unsteady on uneven ground, yet, continuing on by faith. Summer’s leaves faded and falling all around me; but I keep walking, since that’s what God has given me to do.
Hope for Hard Times
These past 18 months have seen me through seasons of changing emotion and struggle, as I’m sure they have for all of us. I have wished so often that this strange season of life would end, and that some semblance of “Normal” would return. Yet, I find myself now settling into a state of acceptance and purpose that has been both challenging and encouraging.
I opened my Bible to read just before I started writing this morning, and it’s funny that this passage was on my mind before I realized it was in the very chapter I had open:
Proverbs 4:18-19
“The path of the righteous is like the morning sun,
shining ever brighter till the full light of day.
But the way of the wicked is like deep darkness;
they do not know what makes them stumble.”
I suppose, to keep my thoughts brief, I’ve been encouraged to remember that God is unchanging (Mal. 3:6), though the world change all around us. And, He imparts righteousness through the sacrifice of his Son, and wisdom at the request and active desire of His people (Prov. 2:6, James 1:5).
It gives courage to remember that in the end, Jesus wins. To remember that although the way is narrow and hard (Matt. 1:13-14), “the path of the righteous is like the morning sun, shining ever brighter till the full light of day.” And, although evil often seems like it is winning, it will not. It cannot; because “The way of the wicked is like deep darkness; they do not know what makes them stumble.”
So take heart. If you belong to Jesus, these evil times will end, and righteousness, truth and goodness will come out in the end. And, as throughout the entire course of human history, God will allow your purpose in these days to be fruitful. There are people around us that we’ve been given to impact. So, impact them with the righteousness that comes by faith; impact them with truth, teach them what is right, and it will make a difference in this world. Because faith, walking, brings light into the darkness and changes everything. (Luke 8:17)
So walk courageously, friend. Like a toddler who depends on their parent when they walk, depend on the Lord, in faith, when you live. He will make your steps secure. (Ps. 40:1-3)
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