When Faith Wrestles

A Poem Inspired by Job 8–10

O Lord, my heart is burdened low,

With questions I can’t seem to know.

Like Job, I cry in dark despair,

Yet wonder—are You truly there?

My friends declare that pain must mean

Some hidden sin still lurks unseen.

But, Lord, I’ve searched—I’ve tried to find

A fault that justifies my mind.

They speak of justice, firm and cold,

Of cause and consequence foretold.

Yet mercy, Lord, I long to see—

Does suffering mean You’re far from me?

I look upon the vast night sky,

The stars, Orion soaring high.

You stretch the heavens, rule the waves,

And yet—my soul still longs to crave.

I am but dust, and You are wise,

Yet, through my tears, I lift my eyes.

I plead for one to take my place,

To stand for me before Your face.

A Mediator, strong and true,

Who knows my pain and suffers too.

One hand in heaven, one in dust,

Who speaks for me in love and trust.

And so, I wait—though night is long,

Though silence drowns my pleading song.

I do not see, yet I will stand,

For nothing slips from Your great hand.

For nothing’s lost beyond Your sight,

And even sorrow births new light.

O Lord, my God, when all seems vain,

Still You will weave my loss for gain.

I wrestle, yes, but still I pray—

For dawn will break, and come what may,

My God, my King, in You I trust,

Redeemer, wise and ever just.

Soli Deo Gloria

Hidden with Christ:

Living a Life Fixed on Christ

Set Your Heart on Things Above

Loving for What Will Last Forever

Reflection on Colossians 3:1-4 

“Since, then, you have been raised with Christ, set your hearts on things above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things. For you died, and your life is now hidden with Christ in God. When Christ, who is your life, appears, then you also will appear with Him in glory.” (Colossians 3:1-4, NIV)

Paul’s exhortation in this passage calls believers to live in light of their new identity in Christ. Having been raised with Him, we are no longer bound by the priorities of this world but are called to fix our hearts and minds on heavenly realities.

Raised with Christ: A New Perspective

Paul begins with a reminder that believers have been “raised with Christ.” This resurrection with Christ is both a spiritual reality and a call to action. Walter Brueggemann describes this new life as “a life oriented toward God’s purposes, in contrast to a world that orients itself toward self-interest.” We are to lift our gaze beyond the temporary and focus on eternal truths, where Christ reigns in glory.

Setting Our Hearts and Minds on Things Above

Paul emphasizes both the heart and the mind: “Set your hearts on things above” and “Set your minds on things above.” Eugene Peterson paraphrases this in The Message: “Pursue the things over which Christ presides.” Our desires, ambitions, and thoughts should be shaped by the reality of Christ’s lordship, not by earthly distractions. This doesn’t mean abandoning life’s responsibilities but living with an eternal perspective, seeking first God’s kingdom (Matthew 6:33).

A Life Hidden with Christ

“Your life is now hidden with Christ in God” signifies the security and intimacy believers have in their union with Christ. Charles Spurgeon reflects, “We are so united with Him that where He is, there we are, and what He has, we share.” To be hidden in Christ means that our true identity and purpose are found in Him, protected by His grace until His return.

Glory to Come

Paul concludes with the promise of future glory: “When Christ, who is your life, appears, then you also will appear with Him in glory.” This future hope shapes how we live now. Our lives, though often hidden and unnoticed by the world, will one day be revealed in glory when Christ returns. John Stott reminds us that “what is now hidden will one day be fully revealed, and we will share in the glory of Christ forever.”

Application

1. Focus on eternal priorities – Regularly align your heart and mind with God’s purposes through prayer and meditation on His Word.

2. Live with Christ as your center – Let your identity in Christ shape your daily decisions and interactions.

3. Hold fast to the hope of glory – In difficult times, remember that your life is secure in Christ, and a glorious future awaits.

Prayer

Lord, thank You for raising me with Christ and hiding my life in You. Help me to set my heart and mind on things above, living each day with eternal purpose. Strengthen me to reflect Your glory now, as I await the fullness of Your coming. Amen.

Soli Deo Gloria

Unveiling the Hidden Life of Faith

A Pharisee’s Search for Truth 

In the sacred pages of the Bible, amidst the grand narratives of redemption and salvation, lies the subtle yet profound story of Nicodemus—a Pharisee whose encounters with Jesus unveil the depths of his hidden life of faith. God excels in seeking out and transforming people whom we perceive as beyond reach. Nicodemus's journey out of darkness was gradual, yet God demonstrated patience with this hidden believer. Through the pages of Scripture, let us embark on a journey of exploration, drawing upon additional verses to illuminate the path of Nicodemus and glean deeper insights into the mysteries of faith and transformation.

A Curious Seeker in the Night

Nicodemus steps onto the stage of biblical history in John 3:1-21, shrouded in the darkness of the night. His clandestine meeting with Jesus reveals the stirring of a curious soul, seeking wisdom beyond the confines of his religious tradition. In this encounter, Jesus speaks of the necessity of Spiritual Rebirth, echoing the prophet Ezekiel's words: "I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit in you" (Ezekiel 36:26). Nicodemus grapples with the concept of rebirth, wrestling with the tension between the physical and the spiritual, the seen and the unseen.Likely, he received more than he anticipated—a call to embrace a transformative journey. Although details about Nicodemus’ life are sparse, it’s evident that he departed from that evening’s encounter a transformed man. He left Jesus’ presence with a newfound faith of both God and his own spirit.

A Voice for Justice and Fairness

In John 7:50-51, Nicodemus emerges as a voice of reason and fairness amidst the Pharisees' heated debate over Jesus' teachings, (as a member of the Jewish high council). During their deliberations on how to deal with Jesus, Nicodemus raised concerns about justice. Despite his objection being dismissed, he demonstrated a willingness to speak out. His transformation had begun. His inquiry echoes the exhortation of Micah: "He has shown you, O mortal, what is good. And what does the Lord require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God" (Micah 6:8). Nicodemus embodies the principles of justice and mercy, challenging his fellow men to approach Jesus’ teachings with fairness and impartiality.

A Servant of Devotion at the Cross

Our final glimpse of Nicodemus' journey unfolds in John 19:38-42, where he emerges from the shadows to honor Jesus in his death. Aware of the potential consequences to his position of power as a Pharisee, Nicodemus made a courageous decision. This step reflected his ongoing growth and transformation. Bearing a mixture of myrrh and aloes, Nicodemus alongside Joseph of Arimathea undertakes the sacred task of laying Jesus to rest. His actions echo the words of Jesus: "Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross daily and follow me" (Luke 9:23). Nicodemus embraces the call to sacrificial service, demonstrating his devotion to the crucified Messiah.

Reflections on Nicodemus's Journey

As we reflect on Nicodemus's hidden life of faith, we are reminded of the multifaceted nature of spiritual pilgrimage. His journey—from curiosity to conviction, from doubt to devotion—resonates with the struggles and triumphs of every seeker who embarks on the path of faith. Nicodemus's story invites us to delve deeper into the mysteries of God's redemptive love, trusting that in the hidden recesses of the heart, divine transformation is at work.

In Nicodemus, we find a compelling life of faith in its most authentic form—a faith that navigates the complexities of doubt and uncertainty, yet ultimately surrenders to the transformative power of God's grace. May his courageous journey inspire us to embrace our own hidden lives of faith, trusting that in the secret places of the soul, God is at work, shaping us into vessels of mercy and agents of divine love.

Soli Deo Gloria