Belonging to Christ
Many years ago, in our early years of marriage and with two small boys, Sandee and I embarked on the big undertaking of building a house to call our home. Towards the middle of a basic structure, I lost my job. One day as I sat amidst the construction not knowing how to proceed, I took out my Bible, prayed and opened it. It was a wonderful reading of God’s promise to Abraham.
I was so happy to read of the promise and interpreted it that He was giving me a similar promise, albeit less enormous, for our family and home. Yet, I was feeling so defeated that I harboured doubts, and I prayed ‘if this is to be believed, please God, give me a sign as confirmation’.
At that moment I heard a call from the front of the house. Going forward I saw two Christian evangelists on their home visits. I took their visit as a confirmation. I had the presence of mind to remember the line from this week’s Gospel Mark 9:38-48 ‘Whoever gives you a cup of water to drink because you belong to Christ will by no means lose his reward.’ And I invited them into the unfinished house for a cup on water. A few days later I was able to land a job that led me to a successful career. I believe I did not lose my reward.
The life of a Christian is a life of faith. So often we do not know where God is leading us. By faith we walk. This week’s Gospel line is a promise from Jesus that he will not leave us orphans. To live by faith is to also live by the Kingdom value of generosity, especially to our brothers and sisters in Christ. Recently, the Archbishop of Canterbury reminded his country’s government that they cannot ignore the pleas for help from the Palestinian Christians living in Gaza.
Looking back, I realize that building our home was not just a physical endeavor but a spiritual one as well. In moments of uncertainty, God met us in our struggles, answering our prayers with timely encouragement and blessings. Just as I had welcomed those evangelists with a simple act of hospitality, God invited me to trust in His providence.
Over the years, I’ve come to see that living by faith means embracing God’s promises, even when the path is unclear. Like the cup of water I offered, faith is also about extending generosity and love to others, trusting that in doing so, we too receive Christ’s reward. Friends, let us continue walking this journey of faith, knowing that Jesus never abandons those who trust in Him.
Friends, I have an upcoming online Retreat on Navigating Life Transitions. Life Transitions are those periods in our lives when circumstances send us off into unfamiliar paths. Typical Life Transitions are Changing Personal Relationships, Changing Career Situations, Loss of Loved Ones, Onset of Illness. Click on the link below to learn more about the retreat.