When Jesus told His disciples to look at the “birds of the air” ad the “ravens with no storeroom” and the “flowers of the field” – He wasn’t trying to get the disciples to be the first members of the Audubon society! He was teaching the single greatest Peace building principle of All Eternity!
“Yet at the same time many even among the leaders believed in him. But because of the Pharisees they would not openly acknowledge their faith for fear they would be put out of the synagogue; for they loved human praise more than praise from God.” – John 12:42-43
Faith that grows can and will eventually grow into an unshakable Now about the tomorrow that may never come!
When I first got out of the Army I bought a used Jeep – I loved that Jeep! The only problem was the top was old and one very bitter winter day while driving on the interstate the then frozen rag top cracked and began leaving my jeep in ever increasing chunks! Too poor to get a complete new top – I learned a valuable lesson in Faith – when it rains you get wet, when cold you freeze and suntans are free!
How does this relate to Faith?
Because whatever happens to you, whatever the weather, whoever comes into your life and whatever they do to you was All know about and allowed by The God Who Loves you beyond human capability to perceive, a Love that goes beyond our ability to imagine and place into words!
With this in mind – Rest!
I have seen people disowned, abandoned, crucified, condemned, judged, beaten and battered and still look up and know or discover that God Is Love – for this I have been blessed!
Faith that is “by Grace through Faith” recognizes the completeness of the cross in completing me, the Power of God in Freeing me and the Future security I have not in Heaven but in the Love of God that I can Never be separated from!
It is a growth process to be sure but the start of that growth process is to realize and understand with the heart that True spiritual growth in a Real Relationship with Jesus Christ is NOT doing more law – its growing in the knowledge of His Gift which produces a Peace beyond your darkest moment or deepest fear!