Pastor Devotion – So hard to have faith

By Pastor Jeff Jacobs

Unity Lutheran Parish –

St. Paul, Saetersdal and

St. Matthew’s, Granger

A colleague of mine was once on a mission trip in Mexico.  While there, he visited an impoverished woman who, through an interpreter, talked about her life.

Then at one point, she expressed how sorry she felt for Americans.  My colleague was surprised, to say the least, as he looked again at her meager shanty with its tin roof, dirt floor, no running water and chickens wandering in and out through the blanket that was its door.

Yet this poor woman felt sorry for Americans, because with everything you have, she said, it must be so hard for you to have faith.

Ouch… But she had a point.  We have enjoyed many good things for so long, it becomes easy to take them for granted.  Such abundance can make us complacent and cause us to lose sight of a faith that trusts God not only in good times, but is prepared to hold strong especially through less secure times.

With the economic hardships of recent years, shortages have hit a lot of us, making us more aware of the challenges faced by many around the world, including those on the margins in our own country. It can lead us to worry about what we have lost and fear about what an uncertain future may bring.

But like that faith-filled Mexican woman, may we instead be the more grateful for what we do have, stay mindful of and generous toward those who have less, remember the source of our blessings, and keep faith that God will provide what is truly needful.