Between Vision and Now.

Friday, May 1, 2009. We have talked about the visions of faith, about new possibilities and new options. But visions are concerned about the future. Visions are looking towards change. Visions leave the Now and focus on the Tomorrow. They pull us out of the moment into another time, another world, another state of existence.

Christian faith like Jesus was living and showing it had the element of vision. This element is very strong, we talk about it when we read his prophetic statements about the further development of world history. But faith also has strong elements of Now. Faith is not mainly something concerned with the future, but it is something concerned with my presence, with my state just in this moment. Yes, faith is concerned about the Now! So many times Jesus asks his people “do not worry”. Do not worry about the future. God will care for you. The peace Jesus is trying to give is a peace not of a perfect life, not a peace of a perfect state of existence in terms of our circumstances, but a peace of mind coming from the spirit and love of God in the face of the circumstances.

Can we have peace in the Now when things are not right? Can we have peace when we are in a transition, when we do not know how our state will turn out tomorrow? Can we find peace even if the future is unclear? The biblical answer is the story of faith. The Psalms repeat this pattern again and again. “Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I fear no evil, for You are with me; Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me.” (Psalm 23,4)

So there is the Vision of Now in faith. It is a vision of a different quality of being, which is based on this “You are with me”. This brings us right into the center of faith and to the loving heart of God! [R.W.E.P., jesusnetwork.eu]

... more texts