A Place Where Even Enemies are Loved

Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen.
-Hebrews 11:1

I keep waiting for it to get better, but every time I look at the news I find more to worry about.  Wars, famines, diseases, and cruelty are repeated in different ways.  Sometimes I feel helpless amid so much pain and need. 

Jesus asked us to imagine a world where everyone was a good neighbor to everyone else.  A place where even enemies were loved.  He asked us to try to see royalty in the impoverished and food enough for all. In this world greed and envy and selfishness are shrinking and dying off, while compassion and generosity and kindness grow.  This vision that Jesus paints he calls the kingdom of God.  He says this kingdom is close by, near, at hand.

It takes faith to believe that the world Jesus imagines is already happening.  It takes active hope to move us closer to it.  The first century Hebrew church was going through some tough times when this letter was written.  They felt helpless due to persecution and hate.  But God spoke to them through this letter and encouraged them to keep the vision of God’s kingdom alive.  The Christian faith and conviction is that the love of God coupled with ours will change this world and lead us toward heaven.

May your faith lead you to good works this week.

May you live for a better tomorrow.

And may you trust that God is with you today, tomorrow, and forever more.

Matt+