Speaker: Ben Sigman
Theme: Dealing with Setbacks
Weekend Music links on iTunes: Salvation is Here by Hillsong; Yesterday, Today & Forever by Vicky Beeching; Cannons by Phil Wickham; Need You Here by Hillsong.
Read: Psalm 71:5-8
Think: My daughter is graduating from high school today. While there will be a certain amount of reflecting on the past (at least for her mother and me), the event is really about the future. The term ‘commencement’ catches the real essence of it – everything about this day is forward-looking, full of potential, a bright beginning.
I hope that my daughter and all of her classmates are passing this milestone with a sense of optimism. The future, indeed, looks bright. Most head off to universities chosen to reflect their personal interests and goals. The world is wide open for them to explore, to discover, and to shape. There is cause for optimism.
Ultimately, though, optimism isn’t enough. You see, optimism is only a feeling. Optimism is rooted in itself; it is merely hope hoping. Optimism has no power to actually make the future any better than the present, only to make us feel better about the potential the future holds.
This past weekend, Pastor Ben spoke of something related, but much more substantial. He used the term ‘optimistic faith’. On the surface, this may sound redundant. But faith is so much more than optimism. Faith is rooted in something outside ourselves, and true faith is rooted in Jesus Christ, the hope of salvation. Optimism hopes for a better future; optimistic faith knows Who will make it happen.
Do: With a phone call, an e-mail or a card, reach out to someone you know who is graduating this month. Share this simple message: as bright as the future seems, it is brighter with God.
Pray: Lord, thank you for the future. What a gift it is to know that I can leave the mistakes and setbacks of my past behind and move forward. But even more, thank you for leading me into the future. I place my faith for tomorrow in You. Amen.
The eDevotional is written each week by a team of volunteers from Timberlake Church.
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