Words of Life

After this many of his disciples turned back and no longer walked with him. So Jesus said to the Twelve, “Do you want to go away as well?” Simon Peter answered him, “Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life, and we have believed, and have come to know, that you are the Holy One of God.” John 6:66-69

Rough times test even the most faithful people. We can lose sight of God's presence with us because the days are long and frustrating and there are many bumps in the road and hills to climb. When faced with overwhelming challenges, like disease and harsh conflict, we wonder whether God has abandoned us and whether in return we should abandon God and our community. God never abandons us and God plants us in community. We are formed and nourished in community, we live and grow in community and we also face conflict and challenge in community. God plants us in families so we can grow rich, deep and tough roots. So we can remain upright and stable when the hurricanes of life try to blow us over and tear us apart.

Today, with many conflicts above and below in the church, many doubt whether there is value in staying in relationship. Although it is for each to decide, I have decided that staying and facing all that is many conflicts are what helps deepen my faith. It is the maturing of a disciple, to walk the harsh rejecting roads that Jesus knew and to face the rejecting people that Jesus loves. I pray that today I can open my heart to the road and the people, asking God to increase my faith and deepen my compassion.