“God has revealed enough of the future to give us hope, but not so much that we do not need to live by faith.” Ben Witherington III As a single I had a job that I enjoyed and was eager to learn more in this field. As time passed my job became more of a career where I gained visibility and notoriety among those who influenced my future. I was not seeking this effect, jobs were offered to me and one manager worked with me to mold a career path. It was not a fast-track into management; it was more honed toward skill development and exposure to the right people and opportunities. Also, during that time I watched all my friends get married—the veritable ‘always a bridesmaid, never a bride.’ I got in the habit of saying—and I truly believed—God has not given me a partner, but He has provided for my needs (at least financially) through my job. I still had hope that one day I would marry, yet at times I fell into the pit of ungratefulness. I felt like God had forgotten me. Until a friend reminded me of all the times God had come through for me, "He restored your lost dog when you were going through a hard time, He got you a job offer that directed you to the career path you have today, and He opened the door for you to move into the location you always wanted to live." I had learned as a girl to place my hope on past performance…family and friends’ follow-through, my boss’ promises, even politicians’ voting record. God was no different. In my journey with Him, every time I prayed and He came through with an answer, it was building a foundation that showed through my personal experiences that God is faithful. My hope based on people has let me down from time to time. At times I felt cheated, resentful, or even a failure. But when I placed my hope in God, I was never disappointed. Even when His answer was, No, I eventually saw that it was always in my best interest. This is what enables me to hope for the future…a track record that proves I’m in good hands when I stay close to God. It is easier for me to look into the unknown future with peace when I remember God’s faithfulness in the past. Do you agree that past performance is generally considered a good indicator of future results? Do you keep track of God’s faithfulness in your life situations? Are you ready to place your faith in God’s next step for you even though you can only hope for what little you can see now?
Lord, help me grow hope for the future built on confidence in Your faithfulness. Amen “Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for he who promised is faithful.” Hebrews 10:23 What are your thoughts? Libby Note: Ben Witherington III (1951- ), an American New Testament scholar, Professor at Asbury Theological Seminary, and an ordained pastor in the United Methodist Church. He has written over thirty books and made appearances on radio and television, frequently featured on the History Channel and Discovery Channel.
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WelcomeI love the wisdom of the ages gleaned from relevant quotes. In them there is a connection to the human experience that crosses all borders. Join me as I relate my personal experiences, and link the wisdom of the quote to the Source of all wisdom: God's Word, the Bible. Enjoy, Libby Categories
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