What do people fight in?

I often wonder what faith really is. For example, I am at the airport, and I see important-looking people in suits carrying briefcases. They stop at the snack bar and then hurry on. Do any of them consider God? I wonder. We know that there are two parallel worlds. 

One world consists of glass, steel, woolen clothes, leather bags, and the smell of freshly ground coffee. The other world consists of angels, spiritual beings, forces, and unknown, distant places called heaven and hell. We know we all inhabit this material world. To consider ourselves citizens of this other, beautiful, and invisible world, we must have faith. Christmas brings a complete turnaround: the Lord of these worlds comes down to Earth and begins to live among us. In Bethlehem, the two worlds merge. What Jesus came to do on Earth made room for God to one day resolve all the disharmony between the two worlds. The key word is Emmanuel, God with us.

Who do people say I am? And who do you say I am? We too must answer this question. The answer Peter gives is a formula, but faith is more than that. It is not a verbal confession but a following of Christ.

I think that God’s hand is best seen in the rearview mirror. Looking back, it is easier to understand why He put us in our families, why He puts certain people and certain circumstances into our lives and then takes them away, why He allows hardship and pain, and why He leads us to certain places and gives us different jobs and occupations. In my own life, God’s wise and loving ways are much clearer to me, even though they are never completely clear. This joy awaits me in heaven! 

When I reflect on how God has “through the works of His hands” guided my life’s journey, I understand everything better. Like the psalmist, I’m cheered, and my heart is filled with joy to see how often God has helped me, guided me, and directed everything that happened around me. But the view ahead is not always so clear. When the road is winding, foggy, and seems threatening, and I feel lost, it is also true for us: “I will never leave you nor forsake you.” Therefore, we can boldly say, “The Lord is my helper; I will not fear; what can man do to me?” (Hebrews 13:5-6).