It can
be both an exciting time and a frightening time when graduation rolls
around. It is exciting to know that a
chapter of our life is ended and we are ready to embark on yet another new
chapter. But with that can come the
uncertainty of what the future holds.
What will we do? How will we do
it? Do we have what it takes?
The
same is true of our faith life. We can
rest comfortably in the familiar beliefs we have always held. We may even see our Christian faith as
something safe and simple. But that is
not where we need to stay. We need to
move forward in faith, grow in our relationship with God and dare to do holy
things.
The
author of Hebrews offers some words of encouragement. What confidence should we have? Who guides us?
The
message on Mother’s Day was about the roots of our faith and mention was made
of all the people who have guided us in our beliefs. So many people, our parents and other
spiritual leaders from our youth, have helped to mold us into the faithful
people we are now. We are influenced by
the faithful who surround us in our lives today.
Hebrews
tells us to remember our leaders, those great saints of the faith who have
paved the way of our connection to God, who set an example of love and good
works in their lives. We should consider
the results of their lives, the confidence in God they held. And we should learn to imitate their ways, to
live as loving Christians in the same way they lived.
But
more than relying on the examples set by faithful ancestors, we have confidence
in our Lord. Jesus is the same
yesterday, today and tomorrow. He is the
greatest leader we can have, the best example on how to live and love. We must root our faith in the Lord.
And so,
as we face the uncertainty of the future whether we are a graduate or simply
moving ahead in our life, we must place our confidence in the teachings of
Christ. We must look to the exemplary
lives of our religious leaders. And from
all of these we can gain the confidence and knowledge, the ability, to move
ahead in our faith. We can grow into new
Christians with a new faith, a stronger faith, a deeper commitment to God. We have been shown how to be better
Christians, more confident believers. We
must live out our heritage.
DAILY CHALLENGE: What gives you the confidence to grow in your faith?
