Anchored at Shore

I once heard that resolve is tested in uncertainty; and character in fire.

I guess anyone can stay calm when anchored at shore.

It does not take faith to remain in the harbor.

And never will I know if a boat needs new planks if it does not venture into the open sea.

So then, faith must be setting sail.

And I remember as Jesus stood trial.

Pilate was merciful until it became dangerous.

He was to judge over life and death for the convicted, but it was his own safety he was truly concerned with.

And I wonder, had I stood in His place, would I have claimed innocence while washing my hands in Jesus’ blood?

Perhaps I should not question ‘if’, but instead how often I have denied Him.

…And the rooster has yet to crow.

To glorify Him is to suffer for Him.

But I suffer for myself, too.

Is then the highest form of worship to approach my biggest struggles with faith?

To hand Him my burden and have it burden me no more?

To not tell my God how big my fears are, but to demonstrate to my fears how big my God is?

And didn’t He say we should love our enemies?

Is that not like telling the robbed to love the thief and the grieving to love the killer?

But then again, anyone can love a friend.

And anyone can display faith while anchored at shore.