No fly by night
There are so many fly by nights out there. Many people come up with brand new plans and persuade many others to also believe in this plan. Some of them are so good at persuading others to believe in it that some trusting people are even prepared to invest a major portion of their hard-earned money in the new story.
But then one morning when they wake up and want to see how far the new dream has progressed, the barn in which the new dreams were being built stands empty, the one in charge nowhere in sight, and, obviously no money in sight, no dream, no plan. As they flew in by night, so they flew out at night – fly by nights.
You have to look after your wickets. Eventually you become so afraid that you hardly listen to anybody, because what if it is someone who is going to fly solo, or is it the real deal? Unfortunately, that is the way some of the stories go out there – watch out and hope for the best.
And in a way we apply this way of living in our Christianity. We watch out, we’re on our guard all the time, and hope we’re climbing the right ladder. We hope that we won’t wake up with a big surprise when we die one day. Be honest with yourself. At times you do wonder whether God and Jesus might have been fly by nights. What if …
Fortunately, we can tell one another that it is not true. God and Jesus definitely are no fly by nights. After nearly 2 000 years they are still here. 6There has never been the slightest doubt in my mind that the God who started this great work in you would keep at it and bring it to a flourishing finish on the very day Christ Jesus appears.
The good work that Jesus had started, the grace that He poured on us, the fact that He died for our sin, and all the good works will never stop. God did not pass by here once only and then left us to ourselves. No, God is still here today pours out his grace over us. God is still involved with us today and through his Spirit He works in and through us.
And God will continue doing the work, He will keep on being involved until the end of our lives or until Jesus comes again. This promise you can hold tight in your heart. The world may rage out there and push you from the road of faith, but you can surely get back calmly on the road and know for sure: God is working and God is with you, even though it may not feel like it.
I am reminded of the words of Chris Tomlin’s song: I lift my hands…
Be still, there is a healer
His love is deeper than the sea
His mercy, it is unfailing
His arms are a fortress for the weak
Let faith arise
Let faith arise
I lift my hands to believe again
You are my refuge, You are my strength
As I pour out my heart, these things I remember
You are faithful, God, forever…
God and Jesus were no fly by nights. Know it! Believe it!
Reflection
Do you sometimes doubt?
Is your faith sufficient?
Do you believe that God is still involved with you?
Prayer
Lord, I really, really needed the confirmation, because yes, I do sometimes wonder where You are. Lord, I can honestly say I don’t always know where I’m going and whether You are still walking with me. Thank you for the confirmation that You will never let me go. Please help to believe it completely and to live that way. Amen