It is said that faith is easy when you are on the mountain top. It is in the valley where faith is really tested.
I disagree.
You don’t just wake up and find yourself in a valley. You know ahead of time that you are entering the valley. You can prepare for the valleys of life.
CREVICES
Crevices, on the other hand, are where the real test of faith occur.
A crevice occurs when the rock or plates of a mountain shift causing a crack to appear on the surface. Crevices can be small. They can also be large, deep, and dangerous.
In the summer, crevices can be easily seen. In the snowy season, crevices can be covered by snow.
Snow-covered crevices are particularly dangerous. A person thinks they are merely walking on snow until it collapses underneath their feet. Suddenly, they can find themselves in a crevice. They can find themselves in a difficult place.
2020 - The Year of the Crevice
The year 2020 has been a crevice. I don’t think many people anticipated this year would be what it has turned out to be. No one expected a pandemic. Our nation didn’t anticipate protests and riots. While many people planned on an election year, I am not certain we planned on how it continues to play out.
Who would have imagined mandated business closures? Many thriving businesses waking up struggling to pay their employees. No customers. No profits.
Holidays are not so much holidays lately. Never did we think we couldn’t gather with our families and friends during Christmas.
In 2020 the snow seems to have collapsed under our feet. This year has created a spirit of despondency. In a season of hope, this Christmas doesn’t seem to provide much hope.
How do we have faith in times like these?
The irony of Christianity is that we are a people of faith. We are a people of hope. Even amid adversity we continue to have faith. This has been the story of Christianity. In fact, the Christmas story is born out of difficulty.
Let me share 3 ways for you to have faith in times like these.
1. Continue to believe in the promises of God.
“But, in accordance with his promise, we wait for new heavens and a new earth, where righteousness is at home” (2 Peter 3:13, NRSV).
We must remember that our hope is not found in anything on this earth. Our hope is in the new heaven and new earth that our Lord is preparing for those who believe.
2. Continue to let your faith shine.
“In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father in heaven” (Matthew 5:16, NRSV).
Regardless of what society is doing, we continue to let our light shine. The Christmas promise was that Christ would come to those who sat in darkness. Right now, our world is pretty dark. Now is the time to let your light shine.
3. Continue to share the gospel.
“For I am not ashamed of the gospel; it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who has faith” (Romans 1:16).
With so much hopelessness, now is the time to share the message of hope. We have the greatest message ever spoken. We have the greatest gift to give to others. Share your faith with others.
2020 has been a challenge. God calls us to continue to have faith is times like these. In fact, it is in times like these that we have the opportunity to demonstrate the power of faith in Christ.
