If only I had some courage....

The sermon today centered on deep water faith, a term which is very meaningful to me.  I have had many moments in my faith journey when I was drowning in cares.  It is part of the human condition to see one's own problems as the most desperate, the most pressing, the worst or the hardest.  Whether our problems are big or small, we are self centered, focused on the immediate, and it is easy to lose sight of the bigger problems in the world when we have our own issues to face.

We are at a crisis point in our country's history.  There are many issues of world wide concern to face, including a possible war with an enemy that feels there is nothing more to lose.  I think we have, in many ways, lost our way, and the moral fiber which holds any society together is now so frayed in ours as to barely hold us together.  It is frightening to see the future and imagine what it may hold.

I am one person, and as such, cannot accomplish a lot.  I can only fear what those in command may decide on my behalf, whether I agree or not.  (And to be fair, I don't have complete information, so I don't even actually know the right answers.)  Deep water faith indeed.

But faith in our leaders will not lead to comfort or relieve us from cares.  There is only one leader that can bring eternal rest, and it is to Him that I look in times of despair or fear.

In Joshua 1:9, God tells us,

"Have I not commanded you?  Be strong and courageous.  Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go."

On my own, I am not brave.  I do not have courage - I have faith.  I am not able to solve the world's problems.  I do not have strength - I have God's loving arms to surround me.

Just like the Cowardly Lion in the Wizard of Oz, we all want some courage.  With God leading, we can walk with confidence into the future, knowing that even in deep water, our faith will uplift us, and God is the eternal answer.

Praying for wisdom and strength in all the tomorrows.