Faith: The Evidence of Things Not Seen

Grace Moment by Moment-weekly column
A little over a week ago, my church-Albright United Methodist Church in Mishawaka, IN-lost its sanctuary to a fire. So much has happened that it still seems surreal to see the damage when I go by the location. Sunday services on October 8, 2006 were held at Battell Park across the street from the sanctuary. I attended the first service at 8:30 a.m. and witnessed more than one person glancing over, then with a dazed expression, turn back to focus on Pastor Dennis' sermon.
Seeing in the Dark
Over the course of this week, more than one person has asked questions like, 'Why would a just God allow this injustice to His people?' or 'Did God send this fire as a judgement for sin in the church?' or 'What about all the hype that people are supposed to experience prosperity when they become a Christian?' I have to be honest here. I don't know how to answer someone else's questions much less find ones for my own. I mean, when good things happen to bad people, I become outraged just like anyone else. Yet, when bad things happen to good people, doubt, fear, anger and confusion take over. Okay, I imagine I know what you're thinking. Something like, 'That's not how a Christian should respond to suffering.' Why not?
Faith, like Grace isn't a one-time offering or experience, it is a continual expression of placing your trust in God to see you through a situation. The key word to remember here is 'through'. Through good times and bad, prosperity or poverty, illness or good health, environment or circumstances, God wants a sin-darkened world to see the evidence of His Presence displayed through the faith of His people. God uses any method or experience to stretch a soul's faith in Him. To ask this question, just as Philip Yancey, in his book, 'The Bible Jesus Read' does, 'Can a person believe God for no other reason than, . . . for no reason at all?'
One of my favorite Bible stories from the Old Testament has to do with three men. Their names are Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego. These guys were high profile Jews, members of the Persian King Nebuchanezzer's gubernatorial council. Kind of like President Bush's Cabinet ministers today. To put it in layman's terms, King Neb, he let all the power he had swell his pride. He began to think he was even a god. Pretty serious stuff.
Well, one day, King Neb decided to build an idol of himself. He ordered all of his people including his gubernatorial council to bow down and worship this idol. Well, Don't you know, Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego refused to worship any god except their own: God. Their reward for believing God for no other reason than, well . . . no reason at all? King Neb was so furious he tied them up and threw them into a hot, fiery furnace. Almost instantly, King Neb noticed something unusual. In astonishment, he said, "I see four men loose in the midst of the fire and they have no hurt; and the form of the fourth is like the Son of God." (Daniel 3:25, KJV)
Now, when King Neb called to them, the three guys exited the furnace, their clothes were intact, they had no burns, and they didn't smell like smoke. Pretty amazing, huh? It's a true story. The point is, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego had faith that "the God we worship can save us from [King Neb's] flaming furnace. But even if He doesn't, we still won't worship [any other] gods." (Daniel 3:16,CEV)
What About Today?
The fire at Albright United Methodist Church affected many people. One that stands out in my mind is a member whose family has been attending Albright's for over 30 years. During a women's retreat this past weekend, she related this story.
As she stood watching the fire consume the sanctuary, one thought, one breath prayer, kept going through her mind. 'Lord, Daddy's picture of Jesus, ( the one he painted, with Him standing at the garden door, knocking, waiting to be let in, with the doorknob on the inside) is gone. Oh, Lord.'
Four days laterat the women's retreat, the lady listened in shock as another member described the find.
"The day after the fire was out, a firefighter approached one of the Pastors and asked him to follow. The firefighter led the Pastor into the charred remnant of the sanctuary. Bending down, the firefighter brushed aside some rubble to reveal . . . the picture of Jesus. The firefighter lifted it out and said, "I thought you might like to have this." The Pastor wiped the soot off the glass with a rag, and stared in disbelief. It was completely intact, with no smoke or water damage to its frame or contents."
The lady remarked, "You mean Daddy's picture survived the fire?" After the other woman nodded yes. The lady wept.
What's the point? God displayed evidence of His Presence through the fire, not around, under, past or over it. I've found that is the only way to get to the other side. Sometimes, I wish I knew the answer to why there is so much pain and upheaval in life. What I do know (and believe) is that God will walk with us through the fire.
Hope for Tomorrow
It is inHis perceived absence as well as in His Presence that people see the evidence God exists, the most. Each person meets God at a different point in their walk with Him. It is through life, with all its lemons that we do, say, and become faithful servants of God. What will be our response when storms come upon us?
A very long time ago, at the edge of a primeval forest, laid a meadow. Its boundary was marked by a wide, flowing river. At the edge of the forest stood an old oak tree, its arms waving majestically to the sky. Along the river's banks, stood slim willow and cattail reeds.
One day, stormclouds built in the sky. With a mighty thunderous roar, wind and rain ponded down to the earth. The willow reeds bent, slapped, and hummed in the blinding fierce gale. The old oak tree sank its roots down deep, as it braced itself against the wind.
Suddenly, a tremendous CRACK! split the air. With a scream of pain, the oak fell with a loud crash to the ground. Time passed. The storm drifted off and the world was right again. And yet, as the air grew still, gasps could be heard from the woodland creatures.
The old oak tree, laid broken and dying on the ground. While the willow and cattail reeds, straightened, as they shook off the remaining droplets of water. They were strong and resilient as ever.
What type of faith do you want to be known for?

Heaven's Music
In this world, there's too much sorrow, too much fear
In order for God's Grace to appear
Heaven's music must be heard
through the revelation of Jesus, found in God's Word.
And just as all of nature sings in perfect harmony
so too can humanity when Jesus calls, "Follow Me."
The question he asks each of us is, "Will you surrender your life
to tell others I AM alive?"
From the birds singing in the trees
to saints bowed, praying, on their knees
to a child's laugh or the wind as it moans thru a mountain pass
Heaven's music, like streams of living water, flows fast
and only the bravest can tread to safety
when one places their trust in God not, "if, and, or maybe."
Only then will one remember
in the silent, still moments Jesus is near
and the bleak darkness of one's life rolls back to hear,
Heaven's music is everywhere!
Then this song of praise will lift one's heart to sing,
"Thank you Jesus, for You are Lord of Lords and King of Kings!"

Written by:
Belle Anne Leslie

Written on:
May 23, 2006


If you would like more information about Albright United Methodist Church, you can visit their web page at www.gbgm-umc.org/albright-mishawaka/

Also, I would like to recommend some books for those who enjoy reading.
They are:
'The Bible Jesus Read' by Philip Yancey
and
'Hadassah: One Night with The King' by Tommy Tenney

And for anyone looking for a great date movie, I recommend:
One Night With The King, opening nationwide, Friday 13, 2006. It is a wonderful movie based on the above listed book by Tommy Tenney.

Also, I recommend for viewing:
The Second Chance, now out on video and DVD. It features Michael W. Smith as one of the principle players.

I leave you with this verse:
"When you walk through fire . . . . the flame shall not consume you." (Isaiah 43:2-3, NRSV) Emphasis mine.