The End!

The End!

Though you have not seen Him, you love Him; and though you do not even see Him now, you believe and trust in Him and you greatly rejoice and delight with inexpressible and glorious joy, receiving as the result [the outcome, the consummation] of your faith, the salvation of your souls. 1 PETER 1:8‭-‬9 AMP

We are called to a walk of faith, a race of faith and a fight of faith. Why is this faith so key to our Christian experience? I believe it is because the very foundations as well as the structure of all that we hold on to are held in place by faith. It was faith that made us realise our sinful state and our need of a Saviour. It is faith that is keeping us same in the midst of an insane world, because we trust God's Word that promises a better life ahead. It is by faith that we hold on to God's exceedingly great and precious promises, knowing that his love will not let us go. These are a few of the reasons why faith is so central to all that we are and have.

That is also the reason why human logic and experience cannot explain the love God has for us, and why we ourselves love God with our entire being. How do you love an entity you have not seen? How would you describe it/him to someone else? How do you hold on to joy in the face of the most distressing circumstances? The human mind cannot comprehend these facts, as they do not bear roots of anything that is logical or reasonable. There has to be something deeper than feelings, emotions or senses; it is about that clear, definite and absolute assurance that God is alive in me, and that there is really no end to my life, just a change of address at the end of this present earthly phase.

That's why Stephen could embrace death and pray for forgiveness for those who were hurting him, because he saw something better just ahead. That is why Abraham took that journey, because he knew the One who had called him out knew what He was doing. And that is why Jesus went the way of the cross, because He knew the glory that was just ahead of Him. Why do I deny myself of the 'good' things of life? Why should I keep my eyes and heart away from the distractions of earthly comfort and  possessions? It is because joy is not about what I hold in my hands, in my bank account or in my head, but the assurance that comes from knowing God and holding him in my heart.

The end of all things will come; nothing down here was built to last forever, and one day soon, the owner of life will make a demand for his investments in me. Faith is not pointless; there is an end to all that I hold on to by faith today, and it is the salvation of my soul. No matter what I have now, if I have secured that, there is danger ahead. Am I walking and living by faith, or by the daily, hard realities of life around me? Am I really saved and safe? His time of favour is here.