07/31/2025
Are we steadfast in our faith? Are we allowing God to work in us so that we might be perfected and brought to completion? These are my thoughts this morning and I invite you to join me in contemplating them.
“for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.”
James 1:3-4 ESV
Testing our faith... my first reaction is to tell you that this doesn't happen, that God doesn't test us, but then I look back on what transpired in the McDonald's parking lot when I became angry with a man over a parking spot (my thoughts to you on 7/26/2025) and suddenly I realize that testing, or challenging our faith does occur. We learn so many lessons regarding the depth of our faith when the waters of our lives go from calm to rough, or from rough, to tempest tossed. The things we proclaim in the calm of our churches, or prayer chairs, can take on a new dimension when suddenly put to the test in our lives beyond the lighthouse at the mouth of our safe harbors.
A few years ago, I wrote a poem for my son after he sent me a picture of a lighthouse that he was visiting with a friend in Portland Maine. I hope that what I wrote then moves you just as much as the picture moved me…
Of God and the Eyes of the Sea
By Rich Forbes
If man's eyes are the window to the soul
Then lighthouses are the eyes of the sea
From whence curious men venture
Into the majestic beyond
Then seek safe harbor, sure refuge,
And thee.
We prepare ourselves in faith while we are moored in our safe harbors, but God didn't design us to remain there... we are meant to go out onto the ocean and serve Him in far off places of faith where storms rage, and all is not calm. We are meant to go out and face certain challenges to our faith as we bring the good news of the gospel to the world, and then return to port, and sure refuge in Christ, where we will become an encouragement to those yet to venture forth.
My father-in-law served in the Navy during WWII, and he would tell stories of taking his ship on a shake-down voyage prior to going off to sea, and to war. They took their ship onto the Chesapeake bay and steamed about as they perfected their individual jobs and repaired anything on the ship that wasn't in perfect shape. He even told us of the captain ramming the dock at Annapolis Maryland as they practiced, and how embarrassing that was, but finally they were ready and the LST they were aboard headed onto the open sea and into storms and battles in the Pacific Ocean.
Our faith is like this. We do what we can in the safety of the harbor; we stock up with provisions and a cargo of scripture, then we face a controlled trial before finally sailing past the safety of our lighthouse onto an unpredictable sea. We sail out to deliver the bounty of our faith to those who are awaiting its arrival. Our trial is meant to get us ready for what God has intended us to do from the beginning. Then we do that thing, and finally, we return once more to the safety that our lighthouse represents, we drop our anchor, make further preparations, and encourage our fellow believers and countrymen as they prepare to sail forth themselves.
God uses trials to help us prepare ourselves for the callings He has for us, but He can't send us forth until we have reached a certain degree of readiness. The question I asked this morning "Are we allowing God to work in us that we might be perfected and brought to completion?" is a crucial one and speaks volumes about our spiritual motivation. Are we a willing participant in His plan for us, or are we in need of further training?
Perhaps, when we answer this question, we will find that we are ready for the open sea. I hope that we are shipshape and prepared for an even more challenging adventure than we have ever taken before... or that maybe we will find that we are one of the working boats of the harbor that services the tall ships and listens to the tales of encouragement told by those who sail them... but never ventures past the lighthouse. Tall ship or not, we are important nonetheless. Whatever our role is in God's plan, whether a ship, a boat, or a dingy, we must be prepared to do our job for the kingdom, and this involves testing and trials as we are perfected, repaired, or provisioned for our journey.
So, on that day when I faced my anger in the local McDonald's parking lot it was a test, a trial, and a shake-down cruise of sorts. The answer it revealed told me whether I was ready for the next step in my preparation, more correction, or whether I was ready for the great commission… the voyage of faith itself. Our Father is not capricious and every challenge we face serves His purpose and readies us for His use.
Prayer:
Father, I thank you for the trials in my life. Thank you for each test that I face which prepares me and makes me ready to answer your call. I long for the sea of righteousness Father, and I long to sail past the lighthouse that guides me to and fro into your safe harbor. Jesus said, "I am the light of the world" and He is indeed the light that shines forth from you, the lighthouse of my faith. He leads me in and out of safe harbor. He guides me past the treacherous rocks as I sail forth, and He is the light that my eyes seek desperately during raging storms or the thick fogs of temptation. Holy Father, I thank you for the light that shines from your Son, and I thank you for your lessons and preparation that have allowed me to sail forth obediently to do your bidding. Keep me safe on my voyages Father and may the tests I have undergone been sufficient in their preparation. Teach me always that I might have the experience I need to serve you in greater ways with each holy passage. Holy, Holy, Holy, are you my God who calls me to preach your Word and to deliver the gospel of Jesus to the ends of the world. Holy are you, my teacher, who has prepared me to sail forth and provides for me each day during my journey. Watch over me Abba and ensure that I am successful in answering your call and that I will return to the safety of your calm harbor… guided there by the light of Christ and your good tutelage. For this, having sailed forth and returned, I will give you all the honor and glory, and will praise your name for having been able to deliver your precious cargo to the world.
Amen, Amen, Amen!
“Again Jesus spoke to them, saying, "I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will not walk in darkness, but will have the light of life."”
John 8:12 ESV
“Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.”
Matthew 28:19-20 ESV
Rich Forbes