There is a confidence in taking the helm – and a hand that is steadied by a seasoned captain peering over your shoulder. 

I remember the conversation as if it were yesterday.  It took place years ago – below deck – in the galley of a sixty foot sail boat, anchored in the clear, calm, blue waters off Andros Island.  Twenty youth pastors from all over the country (and many different denominations) had come together to explore the possibilities of taking students on mission trips in the Bahamas while living and traveling on The Sundancer.  

Being a Southern Baptist (one of only two on the ship) I knew that the casual conversation among the crew would eventually turn to two subjects – Eternal Security of the Believer and Method of Baptism.  I did not look forward to the theological debates that might arise from these subjects.  And the because of the fact that these are not major doctrines – I did not want to see these issues needlessly divide us.  After all twenty people on sixty feet of deck is pretty close quarters for a week. 

But the subject came up.  About six to eight of us were seated around the table in the galley and one of the ladies brought up the subject.  “So, you believe, “Once saved – always saved – right?”  After a lengthy discussion about my personal relationship with Christ, my personal conversion experience of surrendering to His will to follow Him for the rest of my life and numerous scriptures that indicate that a true believer is securely held in the hand of Jesus once they truly make a decision to follow Him.  She looked puzzled and commented, “I wish I could be as certain as you are about what I believe – about eternity.” 

I was floored – totally taken back.  Here was a woman – a youth minister – who was leading and teaching students about faith in Jesus Christ – when she wasn’t sure herself!  Faith in Christ is NOT blind faith – but believing faith!  Faith that is certain!  Faith that believes the things that have been written, prophesied, and seen fulfilled – things that have been foretold and have come to pass – things that you can have confidence in because the One who said it – has proven Himself to be true. 

True Christianity need not (even in this politically correct society) make apology for the certainty of belief.  We do not merely “think” – we know – we have confidence.  It is this kind of faith that carries Christians all around the world as they are tortured and martyred.

John, the youngest of Jesus disciples once wrote: “The one who believes in the Son of God has this witness in himself; the one who does not believe God has made Him a liar, because he has not believed in the witness that God has borne concerning His Son.  And the witness is this, that God has given us eternal life, and this life is in His Son.  He who has the Son has the life; he who does not have the son of God does not have life.  These things I have written to you who believe in the name of the Son of God, in order that you may KNOW that you have eternal life.”   (I John 5:10-13)

We can have confidence – we do not have to think – or hope that the things of God’s word are true – we can KNOW – we can be confident!  After all – we have a well seasoned captain peering over our shoulder.

It was long ago – during the summer of 1973 – that three young friends made the long, cross country road trip to see the front range of the Colorado Rockies for the very first time. I remember the amazement of the sight vividly – a dark wall rising abruptly out of the rolling Colorado plains – running the full length of the state from north to south. It was the beginning of a love affair with the Rocky Mountains that would span many years. Time would pass – bits and pieces of dreams of living in those beautiful mountains – so far away – would come and go. Trips out west – to see this distant lover – to walk her trails – to climb her peaks were few and far between. But the roots of this dream grew deep as they reached into the recesses of my heart. And many years passed. And over those years God’s path has led us in many different directions – none of which would I change!

But the Lord – who put this dream deep in my heart so many years ago – is faithful and gracious. And this past month – He gave us a piece of that dream – high in the Wet Mountains of the Colorado Rockies. On January 31st we closed on the piece of land that I am standing on in the photo above. Hopefully, when the snow melts in the Spring – “the good Lord willing and the creek don’t rise” – we will begin construction of a small mountain cabin – quietly nestled against the aspen trees at the edge of a high mountain meadow. A place to sit quietly – sipping a cup a coffee – watching the mule deer and bear out the window – gazing across the valley floor to the snow covered, Sangre de Christo (Blood of Christ) Mountains – listening for His voice – from a room with a view.

…and a real tasty doggy treat in my stocking would also be nice. I’ve been real good – haven’t bitten anyone!

The local forecast is calling for snow tonight and tomorrow and it’s about time. I mean this is December in Colorado for Pete’s sake! We shall see if anything’s on the ground in the morning. It’s kinda like waiting on Santa Claus to come.

Why does it happen like this? We spend time with Jesus – we believe – our faith strengthens – and then times of darkness come and we shut ourselves in behind the doors of our greatest fears.
They had seen the best of times with Jesus. They had also experienced the worst of times through the crucifixion. But then on the morning of the first day of the week – Mary had seen Him – the risen Lord. She had told the others – and they had seen the empty tomb. They were told (Mark 16:6) that He would go before them and meet them in Galilee (home turf for most of the disciples – familiar territory – a place of comfort). But then evening fell – and as the darkness increased so did their fears – and fear has a way of closing us in behind shut doors.
I think that it was for this reason – the fear – that Jesus came to them in Jerusalem rather than first meeting them in Galilee. After all His first words to them were “PEACE be with you.” (John 20:19) They needed His reassurance. They needed His peace in a time of turmoil and fear.
We all need reassurance from time to time – when our fears close in on us – when we just want to hide out. That’s when we need the comfort that comes from knowing – He is going BEFORE us. He will meet us – be there waiting there when we arrive. His desire is our peace – it is His gift to us. He has a plan and He will reveal it to us in His time – at His place.

Yes – it’s here ALREADY! I saw it yesterday in Hobby Lobby in Pueblo – CHRISTMAS DECORATIONS!!! What’s wrong with this picture?  I mean it’s JULY for Pete’s sake. It’s been one of the hottest summers on record out here – and I walk into the store and see Santa Claus and Christmas tree decorations? Does this kind of thing confuse you as much as it does me???