Daily Bread October 04

Acting in Faith
Parker Johnson of Calgary, Alberta, Canada


By faith Moses was hidden by his parents for three months after his birth, because they saw that the child was beautiful; and they were not afraid of the king’s edict. By faith Moses, when he was grown up, refused to be called a son of Pharaoh’s daughter, choosing rather to share ill-treatment with the people of God than to enjoy the fleeting pleasures of sin. He considered abuse suffered for the Christ to be greater wealth than the treasures of Egypt, for he was looking ahead to the reward. -Hebrews 11:23-26

We are often prideful when reflecting on our own journeys. We take special care to recognize our own part, and yet, how often do we consider the whole story? As humans, we instinctively rewrite our memories as a coping mechanism, and over time, this new, more agreeable story blends with the old into a new, more acceptable memory. When we do this, we wrongfully assume the journey is tightly held within the confines of our own time, but every journey has a beginning that predates our own.

This applies to our spiritual journeys of faith. While we are focused on our own faithfulness and fulfillment, are we giving credit to the impact of the radical faith of those who have gone before us? I often think of Moses’ story. He changed the world through faith alone, but it all began with the faith of his parents when they saved him from Pharaoh’s sword.

What did they see that others did not? What did they gain by stepping out in faith? His parents were his heroes of faith, but they were also heroes for the entire Israelite community-even for you and me. Without their courage, Moses would not have had the opportunity to act in faith, and in doing so, change the world.

Who are your faith heroes? Who stepped out in faith for you and what led them to do so? What blessings did they gain by acting in faith? What blessings have you gained by their actions? Let us always remember to consider the whole story of our spiritual journeys. When we do, we will recognize the countless blessings experienced by others along the way.

Prayer Phrase

“Attention is the beginning of devotion” (Mary Oliver).

Spiritual Practice

Holy Attention

Spend a few moments paying attention, wherever you are. Notice your surroundings. What draws your focus? Look more closely at detail and color. Notice what pulls or prods within you. How is the God-in-all-things speaking to you through what you see and feel right here, right now?

Today’s Prayer for Peace

Engage in a daily practice of praying for peace in our world. Click here to read today’s prayer and be part of this practice of peace.

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