Forged By Faith

Matthew 25:38 NIV Invisible opportunities And they to entertain angels unawares. And that because not everything here is as it seems as even those things that we might find normal or common or perhaps even boring may be in truth divine chances to help us both see and show who we really are unto whomever may or may not be watching, listening, learning about us through whatever we say or think or do. Indeed, what if I told you that everything we’ve ever done mattered more than might have been able to imagine? Might that cause us to imagine harder? To believe bigger? To try better? To be better? What if we did try to live this life as if this world were just a great big stadium filled with all of the thousands of people we’ll meet along the way out, each of whom is placed in our path as something of a road map in which we glean from them something gained only should they gain from us something given? What all might we give if we were of the faith to believe that everyone around us was som...

Matthew 25:35 NIV Give to receive And that unto the least of these. And why? Well, because contrary to common confusion the point of this life was never about what we had or what we hope to have. It was never about how we feel or what we then expect to happen or not so as to ensure that we end up feeling however we want. It wasn’t to look out for number one or to even consider ourselves second. No, the point of this life, especially one lived within this faith, it was for our to find ways to trade places with those who are in last place in this place in which all of life is a race that nearly everyone else is running backwards. All because nearly all of us are down here every day trying our best to make sure our lives are always the same. Indeed, we’re all trained to endure struggle, suffering, shame so long as it means that we’re somehow better for it. And don’t get me wrong, there is a certain manner that such is in truth a very good, a very helpful, a very healthy thing to do. And I...

Matthew 25:34 NIV The recompense It’s a process through which one is compensated for what, at that moment, WAS a matter of loss or harm or hurt or hardship. It’s to make amends and thus to mend that thus which was been broken or battered or beaten, betrayed even. It’s to bring healing to they who’ve known suffering, solace to those sinking in shame, mercy to those melted in misery and freedom to those who’ve simply not known much of it along the way. And that to wherever it is that this road that we all call life may lead. Which is hopefully toward that promised outcome in which once we’ve come out of this world then we finally get to enter our home and all the rest He’s said awaits within. A rest that can only make sense should these lives be trying and difficult and worrisome and burdensome and, yes, even miserable. And that simply because one doesn’t rest, one cannot rest from that which is already easy. There’s no break to take from that which doesn’t break you. We can’t comprehend...

Matthew 25:33 NIV The separation It’s a matter which most of mankind clearly cannot see coming, much less as soon as it is. Rather we all so typically fall into this estimation as to this vacation from righteousness and the reality in which it exists as the only trait that will prove to matter will last perhaps for all of forever. Indeed, we all live this life as if this life has left within it plenty of years within which we’re supposed to avoid the tears and fears of failing friends and being forgotten by those we thought were the same. But still comes the Day upon which all will say only the Name of Christ. And that unto very different outcomes in terms of life. And that because for many that Day will prove the first time His Name they’ll say in what is a humbled manner as most will be gathered to meet Him as not a Savior but as rather a sentencer. A silencer. A Shepherd who will do as He’s promised to as, well, that’s simply what shepherds do. They shepherd. They lead those who are...

Matthew 25:32 NIV Dividing lines They exist for a reason and that reason is that, from time to time, distinction must be made between two or more things that are different and need to remain so. It’s this decision, this determination to differentiate between varied groups or priorities or, in this case, eternities. And while strange to we who are here enamored by the pursuit of unity and community and togetherness, the simple truth is that that which is different needs be separated if the differences become so dire as to risk person or possession. In this case both. And that’s because as the Day comes close what we’re seeing is a world still fleeing, failing, forsaking the simple call unto an equally simple faith. So many here in this place still live this life that shows clearly a heart, a mind that’s filled with little if any interest in seeking His glory or even acknowledging His goodness. In fact it could be argued that it’s the majority who have such an outlook. And Judgment Day i...