Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever. (Hebrews 13:8)
I find both comfort and challenge in this passage. Understanding
grows and changes our faith, both to deepen and challenge it, but underlying
everything, Christ is our “light and salvation” (Ps. 27). His message is clear, the core unchangeable
and calling us to be His servants, His hands, feet and mind on earth.
My faith journey has been convoluted through doubts
and fears as well as comforts and joy. As
in preceding chapters of Hebrews, I too, look to heroes and martyrs for how to
grow in faith and serve.
Closer than Noah or Abel (Hebrews 11), I can find many
faith-filled women in my life who have lived out their Christianity quietly: a
grandmother who provided food and shelter to immigrants; a wonderful friend who
marched for civil rights when she wasn’t teaching in mission schools in Africa;
and a small Hungarian nun who gave comfort and dignity to those dying in the
streets of Calcutta.
With the exception of St. Theresa of Calcutta, the
other women are unknown to most people, but they provide encouragement to me as
I try to live out my faith. I know they all were deeply human and struggled
with all the same things that I find difficult. I also know they are all
special gifts to me, offering hope, and so I continue to take comfort in the
fact that Jesus is the same, yesterday, today and forever.
Help
us Lord to be as consistent in our faith as you give us to understand it, and
to serve through doubts and challenges holding fast to your son Jesus Christ.
Barbara Devlin is convener of Trinity Lutheran Church,
Lansdale’s Racial Justice Ministry.
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