Living by Faith

What do you live by? Convictions? A moral compass? A motto or a mindset? The hymn writer notes that living by faith keeps us safe from being alarmed and distressed. It is a shelter rather than an escape. If faith protects and provides, why is it so hard to live by faith?

Living by faith does not come naturally. The toddler says: “I do it myself!“ even though it is well beyond her abilities. The teenager says: “I’ll do what feels good in the moment.“ The harried middle-aged executive says:“Make as much as you can and work as hard as you can. You never know what’s around the corner.“ The silver-haired senior says: “the more I hold onto things, the less I am really in control. I discovered that clinging to the well-worn rock of faith releases me from fear and doubt. Only when I hold things loosely does God pour out his abundance, releasing me from the weariness of the what-if‘s. In the presence of faith, doubt cowers, shudders and quietly slinks away.

Lord, please teach me to live by faith, in faith, and through faith in Your son. You see the beginning to the end. Let faith be Your words I live bye, Your compass that guides me, and Your peace that surrounds me. In Your name, amen.

Chris Cooke