We are People of Faith

Today is the second Sunday of Advent. The purple candle we light today represents faith.

As Christians, we’ve heard about great miracles of faith: seas parted, plagues avoided, and diseases cured. How strong must one’s faith be in order to be granted those things? What is lacking in my faith when someone else gets the miracle I was praying for?

God performs miracles every day. They are of His choosing and for His purpose. For us, miracles are signs of God’s goodness and testaments to His truth, not “prizes” that are awarded to the most faithful. Faith in God does not guarantee our own “wish list” of miracles in this earthly life. We will likely experience pain and suffering. But without faith, our trials will make us bitter and angry. Our lives will become a series of meaningless days. Faith in God changes all that. Faith gives purpose to our lives.

When we nurture faith in God within ourselves and others, we are doubly blessed. First, with faith we have the knowledge that this earthly life is temporary; our struggles will not last. Faith gives us strength to find hope and joy in living. Second, with faith we know that our true future is eternity with God; our reward will be great in heaven.