Shepherd's Heart 11/8/24
Do you ever wish you could know something with absolute certainty? Wouldn’t that be comforting? Think about it: if we could know for sure where to go to college, where to invest, who to befriend, who to marry, where to invest our time—if we could know with complete confidence that every decision would lead to the best outcome, life would be so much simpler.
But we all know that’s not how life works. There’s no guarantee that the choices we make, or the directions we choose, will always turn out for the best. We’ve all made decisions we hoped would bring joy, success, or fulfillment, only to see things unfold differently.
As a pastor, I’ve experienced this myself. I’ve made decisions in ministry that have brought unexpected heartbreak. In those moments, I’m often left with more questions than answers: God, did I miss something? Can I trust my instincts? Am I too optimistic?
In these times, my confidence can be shaken. But when I turn to scripture, I see a familiar pattern: flawed, hopeful people making decisions that don’t always turn out as they planned. And as we approach the season of Advent, I’m reminded of the mystery and beauty of the incarnation—of God choosing to come near, to live among us, to be present in our daily lives.
When we face big decisions, we have a God who remains by our side, a God who redeems, renews, and restores. We have a God who is at work within us and around us, even in the uncertainties.
This Sunday is Commitment Sunday. As we come together, we may long for the assurance that our commitments are exactly right, that we’re giving and acting in just the way God desires. But faith doesn’t work that way. Faith is a journey, a step-by-step trust in God. It’s choosing to walk forward without seeing the full path.
I often picture faith like a door that God invites me to walk through. I may not know exactly what’s on the other side, and, like Gideon, I may ask God for extra signs and assurances. Yet, each time I’ve stepped forward, choosing to trust, my love and faith in God have deepened.
This Sunday, let’s walk forward together through the door that God has opened for us. There may be uneasiness, and that’s okay. But let’s go, hand in hand, trusting that God goes with us every step of the way. God has chosen to be present with us, and together, we can take that step forward in faith.
~Pastor Jake Roberts
But we all know that’s not how life works. There’s no guarantee that the choices we make, or the directions we choose, will always turn out for the best. We’ve all made decisions we hoped would bring joy, success, or fulfillment, only to see things unfold differently.
As a pastor, I’ve experienced this myself. I’ve made decisions in ministry that have brought unexpected heartbreak. In those moments, I’m often left with more questions than answers: God, did I miss something? Can I trust my instincts? Am I too optimistic?
In these times, my confidence can be shaken. But when I turn to scripture, I see a familiar pattern: flawed, hopeful people making decisions that don’t always turn out as they planned. And as we approach the season of Advent, I’m reminded of the mystery and beauty of the incarnation—of God choosing to come near, to live among us, to be present in our daily lives.
When we face big decisions, we have a God who remains by our side, a God who redeems, renews, and restores. We have a God who is at work within us and around us, even in the uncertainties.
This Sunday is Commitment Sunday. As we come together, we may long for the assurance that our commitments are exactly right, that we’re giving and acting in just the way God desires. But faith doesn’t work that way. Faith is a journey, a step-by-step trust in God. It’s choosing to walk forward without seeing the full path.
I often picture faith like a door that God invites me to walk through. I may not know exactly what’s on the other side, and, like Gideon, I may ask God for extra signs and assurances. Yet, each time I’ve stepped forward, choosing to trust, my love and faith in God have deepened.
This Sunday, let’s walk forward together through the door that God has opened for us. There may be uneasiness, and that’s okay. But let’s go, hand in hand, trusting that God goes with us every step of the way. God has chosen to be present with us, and together, we can take that step forward in faith.
~Pastor Jake Roberts
Posted in Shepherds Heart