The temporary
Sunday school teacher was struggling to open a combination lock on the supply
cabinet. She had been told the combination, but couldn’t quite remember it.
Finally she went to the preacher’s study and asked for help.
The preacher came
into the room and began to turn the dial. After the first two numbers he paused
and stared blankly for a moment. Finally he look serenely heavenward and his
lips moved silently. Then he looked back at the lock, and quickly turned to the
final number, and opened the lock.
The teacher was
amazed. “I’m in awe at your faith, preacher,” she said.
“It’s really
nothing,” he answered. “The number is on a piece of tape on the
ceiling.” What a great definition of the concept of faith! The essence of
faith truly is to look heavenward. It is to look toward heaven for our
guidance, our motivation, and our very reason for existence.
We are surrounded
by the things of this world, and it is easy to fall into the trap of thinking
that what we can see all around us is what is “real.” Faith is the
ability to set our eyes on that which is above, the true reality.
“By faith
[Abraham] dwelt in the land of promise as in a foreign country, dwelling in tents
with Isaac and Jacob….for he waited for the city which has foundations, whose
builder and maker is God.” (Heb. 11:9-10)
May you live by
faith this day, and don’t forget to look up!
Have a great day!
Alan Smith
