Now it’s our turn. Having heard several examples of faith embodied, having set a foundation of Christ’s example, now Paul closes with a blessing for us as we live our faith out in this world. He blesses us on the good days and bad, when things are going well, and when they are challenging. Since God is the one who empowers us, we can have hope of how the Spirit can walk with us through whatever life sends our way.
Phrases like when rubber meets the road, the moment of truth, name the moment where our ideas, beliefs, and theories have to be tested, or put into practice. In Genesis 22 Abraham steps into one of those moments. Where the same God he left his home for, who rescued his nephew, who he trusted with his family, is now asking Abraham do you really trust me? When I talk to people it is often in these challenging moments that people experience their greatest growth. They are also moments that few of us look forward to.
In a cultural practice of that time, tension arises between Abraham’s two wives. Sarai is jealous of Hagar, and encourages Abram to banish her, so against better judgement he does. In a moment that looks bleak, and heart breaking, God shows up in surprising ways to care for Hagar and her son. God’s grace has this ability to break into our lives in all kinds of ways if we are aware of it.
How many times have you thanked someone for something for them to reply, “no big deal.” What if all things in God’s hands are a big deal? Not in some ominous sense, or to make you stress out about every choice you make, but an encouragement that holding a door, a kind text message, a passing comment, all could make a big difference in someone else’s life.